Konungs skuggsjá
(Redirected from Konungs Skuggsjá)
Categories: History of Norway | Medieval literature
Image:Kongespeilet.jpg
A page from Konungs skuggsjá.
Konungs skuggsjá (Old Norse for "King's mirror"; Latin: Speculum regale, modern Norwegian: Kongespeilet) is a Norwegian educational scripture from around 1250, dealing with politics and moral. It was originally intended for the education of King Magnus Lagabøte, the son of Haakon Haakonsson, and it has the form of a dialogue between father and son. The son asks, and is advised by his father about practical and moral matters, concerning trade, the hird, chivalric behavior, strategy and tactics. Parts of Konungs skuggsjá deals with the relationship between church and state. It also sings the praise for free trade:
- A merchant must often put his own life at stake. At times on the ocean, at times in heathen countries, and almost each time among alien nations. Therefore, the merchant must always behave in a good manner in the places where he happens to find himself.da:Kongespejlet