On Saxo's use of archival sources to describe the murder of bishop Rike

Considering Saxo's use of the archepiscopal archive in Lund c.1085-c.1158 as seen through the lens of an episcopal murder

Abstract

Research by Michael H. Gelting showed that Saxo must have made extensive use of contemporary archival sources when he wrote the parts of Gesta Danorum from c.1158 onwards. This study discusses Saxo´s description of the murder of bishop Rike on 18.Oct. 1139 and considers what source material Saxo used here. It concludes that this part of his chronicle is most likely to be based on his use of two known, but lost papal documents, both of whom concerned the murder and were located within contemporary archives. Finally, it is discussed what this means considering Gelting´s conclusions.