INTRODUCTION. 
XV 
isually the case, wantonly abused it to the 
oppression of their countrymen and to the pro- 
lotion of their own interested views. 
Jn spite however of all these intestine broils, 
Icelandic republic * increased in power, and 
^tfefeained without acknowledging submission to 
any nation for the space of three hundred and 
eighty-six years, during which period the Nor- 
i^ftgians continued to view it with a jealous eye, 
their king Haquin repeatedly sent ambas- 
ll^jors to endeavor to induce the Icelanders to 
t bycome tributary to him; but they withstood 
:h threats and solicitations till the year 1260, 
|en they did homage to him and became the 
ejects of Norway, to which country they con- 
$kiued faithful in their allegiance so long as it 
remained an independent state ; and at the ex- 
Hration of that time became with it subservient 
the crown of Denmark in 1387. 
B ■ 
Lnr ^ 
|^The Danes entrusted the government of the 
Inland^ to a person who is styled Stiftsamptman, 
is, the supreme governor of a province or 
* Arngrim Jome Commentarius de Islandia. 
If For the account of the present state of the civil and 
ecclesiastical establishments contained in this Introduction* 
