Magnus the Lawmender’s Laws of the Land

The first English translation of Magnus the Lawmenders law code, The Laws of the Land, is a crucial source to European legal history. It regulated a whole kingdom and stayed in force until the late 17th century, shaping society, politics, and law in Norway and its surrounding regions for over 400 years. This book is divided into three parts: an introduction, a complete English translation, and a glossary. The Open Access version of this book is available under a Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license.

Format: Hardback
Length: 140 pages
Publication date: 19 February 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Laws of the Land, the first English translation of Magnus the Lawmenders law code, is a seminal work that offers students and scholars a profound opportunity to interpret, compare, and contribute their unique perspectives to this crucial source of European legal history. This remarkable book, issued during the Middle Ages, stands as one of the few law books that governed an entire kingdom. Its influence lasted until the late 17th century, shaping society, politics, and law in Norway and its surrounding regions for over four centuries.

The Laws of the Land are organized into three distinct parts. The first section, authored by the translator, Jóhanna Katrín Friðriksdóttir, provides an introduction to the laws. The second and longest section presents a comprehensive English translation of the Laws of the Land. The final part serves as a glossary, which meticulously outlines the most significant Old Norse legal terms alongside their English translations. Additionally, the glossary includes explanations and conversions of religious feast days that are pertinent to the law.

By gaining familiarity with the Laws of the Land, students and scholars of Medieval history alike gain invaluable insights into the social, legal, political, and intellectual developments of the Nordic High Middle Ages. This book serves as a vital tool for those seeking to deepen their understanding of this pivotal period in European history.

In recognition of the importance of accessibility to knowledge, the Open Access version of this book has been made freely available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com. It has been generously licensed under a Creative Commons [Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND)] 4.0 license, ensuring that it can be widely accessed and utilized by a global audience.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032610542