Similar The Thidrekssaga, Yvain - the Knight of the Lion, Sagas of Icelanders | ||
Gibbons Saga is one of the Icelandic chivalric sagas. It is one of a very few sagas to feature a magical flying object—in this case a piece of cloth, amongst many other magical objects. It also features dwarfs and giants.
Contents
Summary
In the summary of Kalinke and Mitchell,
The saga relates the amorous liaisons of Gibbon, son of King Vilhjalmr of Frakkland. He is first brought under the spell of Greka, daughter of King Filipus of Grikkland; she is a type of fairy mistress who remains invisible to him for a long time. After she has finally allowed him tosee her, Gibbon is transported back to Paris. Reports of the beauty of the maiden king Florentia, daughter of King Agrippa of Indialand, spur Gibbon to sue for her love. For her sake he overcomes Eskopart, a rival, in battle. A child named Eskopart is the result of the union of Gibbon and Florentia. Once more Gibbon is mysteriously transported to Grikkland to enjoy Greka's love. When Eskopart reaches maturity and learns of his father's desertion, he vows vengeance. Father and son are reconciled, however, and Eskopart inherits Frakkland.
Origins
The saga was probably composed in the fourteenth century and is preserved in twenty-three manuscript fragments dating from the late 14th century to 19th century, the most important of which are AM 355 4to, AM 529 4to and Cod. Stock Perg. fol. no. 7. The full list is: