ABSTRACT
When I first came to Copenhagen in the year 1615 there was an open channel between the town and the island of Amager, and persons were ferried across it in small boats 1 . The point where the people embarked in the boats was called Kivnes 2 , or Dispute Point, on account of the chatter of the people, their quarrelling and disputes, which could be heard there daily. For every one pushed himself forward as best he could in order to pass into the boats, and many blows of hand and knife were dealt, when quarrelsome persons met there. At first I used often to be ferried across to Amager, for a man with whom I had dealings dwelt there, by name Niels Aagesson, a merchant at the Danish trade-station in Skutilsfjörð, in ÍÍsafjörð Deeps. At his house I always received a warm welcome, himself and his wife being much attached to me. Every Saturday I met him in Copenhagen if I were at home, for that was market-day. Magnus Arason and Magnus Sæmundsson 3 , my dear countrymen (now asleep in God), were sometimes together with me in his house, everything good cheer and hospitality, and I was once with him at a magnificent wedding festival. He often lent me money, which was richly paid back to him by my blessed mother and brother, out of my moneys which I left behind here. Of the goods sent to me from Iceland, the value of 600 fish 1 remained in his keeping.
