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Medieval Scandinavian Laws
Medieval Scandinavian law, also called North Germanic law, was a subset of Germanic law practiced by North Germanic peoples. It was originally memorized by lawspeakers, but after the end of the Viking Age they were committed to writing, mostly by Christian monks after the Christianization of Scandinavia. Initially, they were geographically limited to minor jurisdictions (''lögsögur''), and the Bjarkey laws concerned various merchant towns, but later there were laws that applied to entire Scandinavian kingdoms. Each jurisdiction was governed by an assembly of free men, called a þing. The court assembly, the '' thing'', used the law and heard witnesses to rule whether the accused was guilty or not. There were usually two types of punishment: outlawing and fines. The most common means of justice were, however, fines; the amount varied, depending on the severity of the offense. This system was extremely intricate and the fines themselves, singularly a "mulct", were also varied acco ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Germanic Law
Germanic law is a scholarly term used to describe a series of commonalities between the various law codes (the ''Leges Barbarorum'', 'laws of the barbarians', also called Leges) of the early Germanic peoples. These were compared with statements in Tacitus and Caesar as well as with high and late medieval law codes from Germany and Scandinavia. Until the 1950s, these commonalities were held to be the result of a distinct Germanic legal culture. Scholarship since then has questioned this premise and argued that many "Germanic" features instead derive from provincial Roman law. Although most scholars no longer hold that Germanic law was a distinct legal system, some still argue for the retention of the term and for the potential that some aspects of the ''Leges'' in particular derive from a Germanic culture. Scholarly consensus as of 2023 is that Germanic law is best understood in opposition to Roman law, in that it was not "learned" and incorporated regional peculiarities. While th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gray Goose Laws
The Gray Goose Laws ( {{IPA, is, ˈkrauːˌkauːs}) are a collection of laws from the Icelandic Commonwealth period. The term ''Grágás'' was originally used in a medieval source to refer to a collection of Norwegian laws and was probably mistakenly used to describe the existing collection of Icelandic law during the sixteenth century. The Grágás laws in Iceland were presumably in use until 1262–1264 when Iceland was taken over by the Norwegian crown. Origins of Icelandic law According to Ari Thorgilsson, the earliest Icelandic laws were modeled on those from the Norwegian west-coast law-province, Gulathing. These were introduced to Iceland by an immigrant from Norway named Úlfljótr, sometime during the 920's. Following several years of modification and revision, Úlfljótr's laws were approved by an initial assembly. Out of this meeting, the annual general assembly known as the Althing was established. Each following summer, Icelanders would convene at Thingve ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Magnus VI Of Norway
Magnus the Lawmender (1 or 3 May 1238 – 9 May 1280), also known as Magnus Haakonsson, was King of Norway from 1263 to 1280. One of his greatest achievements was the modernisation and nationalisation of the Norwegian law-code. He was the first Norwegian monarch known to have used an ordinal number, counting himself as Magnus IV. In modern sources, he is also known as Magnus VI. Early life Magnus Håkonsson was the youngest son of King Håkon Håkonsson and his wife Margaret Skulesdatter. He was born in Tunsberg and was baptised in May 1238. He spent most of his upbringing in Bergen. In 1257 his older brother Håkon died, leaving Magnus the heir-apparent to the kingdom. His father gave him the title of king the same year. On 11 September 1261, he married Ingeborg, the daughter of King Eric IV of Denmark, after she was practically abducted by King Håkon's men from the monastery she was living in. The struggle to claim Ingeborg's inheritance from her murdered father later i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Magnus I Of Norway
Magnus Olafsson (; Norwegian and Danish: ''Magnus Olavsson''; – 25 October 1047), better known as Magnus the Good (; Norwegian and Danish: ''Magnus den gode''), was King of Norway from 1035 and King of Denmark from 1042 until his death in 1047. Magnus was an illegitimate son of Saint Olaf, and fled with his mother Alfhild when his father was dethroned in 1028. He returned to Norway in 1035 and was crowned king at the age of 11. In 1042, he was also crowned king of Denmark. Magnus ruled the two countries until 1047, when he died under unclear circumstances. After his death, his kingdom was split between Harald Hardrada in Norway and Sweyn Estridsson in Denmark. Early life Magnus was an illegitimate son of King Olaf Haraldsson (later Saint Olaf) by his English concubine Alfhild,Carl Frederik Bricka, ''Dansk Biografisk Lexikon'', vol. XI aar – Müllner 1897p.44 originally a slave (thrall) of Olaf's queen Astrid Olofsdotter. Born prematurely, the child was weak and unable ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Frostathing Law
Frostating law () is one of Norway's oldest laws. It concerned the Frostating, which covered large parts of Norway, and derives its name from the ancient court at Frostating. The most famous quote from this law is "''at lögum skal land várt byggja en eigi at ulögum øyða''" (with law shall our land be built, and not desolated by lawlessness) which also appears in a number of Norse laws, and is inscribed on the illustrated memorial. History It was not the oldest law, which are the Eidsivating law and the '' Gulating'' law. Later came the ''Borgathinglaw'' of Olaf II (1015–1028) but the Frostathing law has been much better preserved, the earlier laws only preserving that which pertained to church law.Laurence ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Eyrbyggja Saga
''Eyrbyggja saga'' (; ) is one of the Icelanders' sagas; its title can be translated as ''The Saga of the People of Eyri.'' It was written by an anonymous writer, who describes a long-standing feud between Snorri Goði and Arnkel Goði, two strong chieftains in the Norsemen, Norse community that settled in Iceland. The title is slightly misleading as it deals also with the clans from Stykkishólmur, Þórsnes and Alptafjörðr on Iceland. The most central character is Snorri Þorgrímsson, referred to as Snorri Goði and Snorri the Priest. Snorri was the nephew of the hero of ''Gísla saga'', and is also featured prominently in ''Njáls saga'' and ''Laxdæla saga''. Another main interest of the ''Eyrbyggja Saga'' is to trace a few key families as they settled Iceland, specifically around the Snæfellsnes peninsula. The Saga is usually not regarded as artistically equal to ''Egil's saga'', ''Njáls saga'' and ''Laxdæla saga''. Nevertheless, it is valued for many reasons, including ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Holmgang
Holmgang (, , Danish language, Danish and , ) is a duel practiced by early medieval Scandinavians. It was a legally recognized way to settle disputes. The name ''holmgang'' (literally "holm-going") may derive from the combatants' dueling on a small island, or ''holm (island), holm'', as they do in the saga of Egill Skallagrímsson, alternatively figuratively in reference to an arena. At least in theory, anyone offended could challenge the other party to holmgang regardless of their differences in social status. This could be a matter of honor, ownership or property, demand of restitution or debt, legal disagreement or intention to help a wife or relative or avenge a friend. Holmgangs were fought 3–7 days after the challenge. If the person challenged did not turn up for the holmgang, the other man was considered just in his challenge. If the offended party did not turn up for the holmgang, they were deemed niðingr, and could have been sentenced to outlawry. In effect, if someo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Haugating
Haugating was a Thing in medieval Norway. Haugating served as an assembly for the regions around Vestfold and the area west of Oslofjord. It was located at Tønsberg in Vestfold, Norway. Background Although it was not as recognized nationally as the Øreting in Trøndelag, Haugating did play an important role in the history of Norway as a site for the proclamation of kings. At various times, Harald Gille, Sigurd Magnusson, Magnus Erlingsson and Jon Kuvlung were all proclaimed there to be contenders to the throne of Norway. Haugating was seated in Tønsberg at Haugar (from the Old Norse word ''haugr'' meaning hill or burial mound). During the Civil war era in Norway (between 1130 and 1240), Tonsberg was one of the area where the Bagler faction and other rebel bands stood strong in the battle against the Birchleg. Several rebel bands hailed their royal subjects from Haugating. A memorial stone was erected on the site during 1954. Haugar Vestfold Kunstmuseum Haug ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Borgarting
The Borgarting () was one of the four regional legislative assemblies or '' lawthings'' (') of medieval Norway. Historically, it was the site of the court and assembly for the south-eastern coastal region of Norway, covering from Göta älv (now in Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden, is a Nordic countries, Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. It borders Norway to the west and north, and Finland to the east. At , Sweden is the largest Nordic count ...) to the today's Risør in Agder. The ''thing'' is named after its seat, the town of Borg (today Sarpsborg). It was established before 1164, when it absorbed the traditional districts of Grenland and Telemark. The lagting covered mostly the same areas as the current appellate court, with the addition of areas in today's Telemark, Agder, and Sweden. When Norway was united as a kingdom, the four independent ' – Frostating, Gulating, Eidsivating, and Borgarting – were the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Eidsivating
Eidsivating () was one of the four ancient popular assemblies or things (') of medieval Norway. Historically, it was the site of court and assembly for the eastern parts of Norway, and was located at Eidsvoll. History Traditionally, Eidsivating was the court for the population around Lake Mjøsa. Eidsivating was originally situated at Åker gård, the seat of Vang in Hedmark county, Norway. When Norway was united as a kingdom, the four independent ' – Frostating, Gulating, Borgarting, and Eidsivating – were the most supreme bodies of law, acting as both legislative assemblies and courts. These were representative assemblies at which delegates from the various districts in each region met to award legal judgments and pass laws (). Later, during the time of Olaf the Holy, the court was moved to Eidsvoll. The jurisdiction of the court was then extended to include Romerike and Hadeland as well as Hedmark. Later Østerdalen and Gudbrandsdalen were also included. In 127 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gulating
Gulating () was one of the four ancient popular assemblies or things (') of medieval Norway. Historically, it was the site of court and assembly for most of Western Norway, and assembled at Gulen. It functioned as a judicial and legislative body, resolving disputes and establishing laws. Gulating, along with Norway's three other ancient regional assemblies, the Borgarting, Eidsivating, and Frostating, were joined into a single jurisdiction during the late 13th century, when King Magnus the Lawmender had the existing body of law put into writing. History The Gulating was an annual parliamentary assembly which took place in Gulen, on the west coast of Norway north of Bergen, from approximately 900 to 1300 CE and was one of the oldest and largest parliamentary assemblies in medieval Norway. The assembly site was established early in the 10th century and the original legislative area covered the regions of Hordaland and Sogn og Fjordane. The Gulatinget Millennium Site is a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Frostating
Frostating () was one of the four ancient popular assemblies or things () of medieval Norway. Historically, it was the site of court and assembly for Trøndelag, Nordmøre, and Hålogaland. The assembly had its seat at Tinghaugen in what is now Frosta Municipality. It functioned as a judicial and legislative body, resolving disputes and establishing laws. Frostating and Norway's three other ancient regional assemblies, the Borgarting, Eidsivating, and Gulating, were joined into a single jurisdiction during the late 13th century, when King Magnus the Lawmender had the existing body of law put into writing. Tinghaugen Tinghaugen, from the Old Norse words meaning 'assembly' and meaning 'hill', is close to the medieval church at Logtun. The site is represented by the Frostatinget bautasten at Tinghaugen. Frostating was arguably Norway's oldest court, pre-dating the Viking Age. The Frostating had authority over the eight districts in Trøndelag including (Nordmøre and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
