Letters on Iceland: containing observations on the natural history of the country, antiquities, manners and customs of the inhabitants, &c. &c. Made, during a voyage undertaken in the year 1772, by Sir Joseph Banks, P.R.S. assisted by Dr. Solander, F.R.S. Dr. J. Lind, F.R.S. and several other literary and ingenious gentlemen / written by Uno von Troil ; with notes and additions by the translator. The whole revised and corrected by E. Mendes da Costa.

  • Troil, Uno von, 1746-1803.
Date:
1783
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Letters on Iceland: containing observations on the natural history of the country, antiquities, manners and customs of the inhabitants, &c. &c. Made, during a voyage undertaken in the year 1772, by Sir Joseph Banks, P.R.S. assisted by Dr. Solander, F.R.S. Dr. J. Lind, F.R.S. and several other literary and ingenious gentlemen / written by Uno von Troil ; with notes and additions by the translator. The whole revised and corrected by E. Mendes da Costa. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    93/438 (page 59)
    L E T T E R IV. I'o Chevalier Ihre. Of the Arrival of the Norzvegians y the Government^ and Lavus in Iceland, Stockholm, June 13, 1774. S I have treated in iny former letter of the nature of the country in Iceland, an enquiry how, and when it was flrft peopled, might not perhaps be difagreeable to you. We know very littlb of the primitive inhabitants of Iceland, who poflelTed the country when the Norwegians firffc landed there. We are informed by Ibme, that they were Chriftians, who, according to the moft probable con- jeftures, arrived there from England and Ireland, and were called Papa by the Norwegians They pretend to ^ The antient Norwegians, who firft landed in Ice- land, found there inhabitants who were Chriftians, and were called by the Norwegians Papas, which is conjeftiired to fignify priefls. This is confirmed by the preface of the Landnama Bok, or Buck of Coloni- zation