Iceland’s medieval literature is known for its sagas, epic stories of heroes, intrigue and the supernatural. Among the less famous but fascinating examples is Nikulás saga leikara, a romance saga whose life has stretched far beyond its medieval origins, travelling not just in themes but also across continents.
A tale of kings, courts and magic
At the heart of Nikulás saga leikara is Nikulás, king of Hungary. Urged by his foster-father, Earl Svívari, to abandon his playful magic and pursue a royal match, Nikulás sets his sights on Princess Dorma of Constantinople. With Svívari arranging a secret engagement in defiance of Dorma’s father, Nikulás embarks on a journey filled with subterfuge and danger.
Nikulás infiltrates the Byzantine court under the guise of a merchant, winning Dorma’s confidence and love in secret. Danger follows close behind: Valdimar, with Scandinavian mercenaries in his employ, abducts Dorma by magical means. The young king must draw once more from his magical skills to win her back. Ultimately, a chaotic battle results in Valdimar mistakenly dispatching his own men, paving the way for reconciliation. Nikulás is accepted by Valdimar and assumes the throne of Constantinople after Valdimar’s death.
Manuscripts and printing across the centuries
The survival of Nikulás saga leikara is itself a kind of adventure. No medieval manuscripts of the full saga remain, though a fifteenth-century book held in Stockholm once included the text in now-lost form. Despite this, over sixty post-medieval manuscripts have preserved the story, appearing in two principal versions. Although scholars are yet to fully map the relationships among these copies, early steps in this work have already begun.
Unusually, the saga’s printed life includes not just Iceland but also North America. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, editions were published in Winnipeg (1889) and Reykjavík (1912). The Canadian edition reflects the enduring attachment of Icelandic emigrant communities to their literary heritage, and marks Nikulás saga leikara as an unusually late example of printed Icelandic romance for a broad readership.
In its journey from medieval manuscript to print editions spanning oceans, Nikulás saga leikara retains the elements that have long gripped Icelandic readers: transformation, wit and the unpredictable play of fate, seasoned with a touch of the supernatural.
