Episodes of Magic and Witchcraft in the Icelandic Annals: Annáll Gunnlaugs prests Þorsteinsonar i Vallholti, and Mælifellsannáll

In medieval and post-medieval Scandinavia, the lack of medical care and the hard-living
conditions, especially in rural areas, led to a widespread use of folk medicine and home
remedies. Certain marginal individuals were considered particularly skilled in healing
and were consulted by people. Later, with the coming of Lutheranism, many of them were
accused of witchcraft and imprisoned. They often underwent trials and sometimes were
sent to death. Such episodes are registered in the Icelandic local Annálar together with
court trials and legal documents. This paper presents some episodes in Annáll Gunnlaugs
prest Þorsteinsonar í Vallholti and in Mælifellsannáll where rune magic is used. The
episodes are compared with some formulas of Icelandic black books whose manuscripts
are preserved in Reykjavík and in Stockholm.