Older Gulathing Law

The Gulathing Law is a medieval Norwegian legal code that regulates relations between social classes, the king, officers, clergy, and peasantry. It is a social contract between the people and the church and the king, with personal rights defined and scales of fines and compensation set up. It reflects the internal conditions in the farming community of Western Norway in the High Middle Ages and will be useful for students and specialists of medieval Norwegian legal history and medieval Scandinavian law.

Format: Hardback
Length: 254 pages
Publication date: 06 April 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Gulathing Law is a comprehensive legal framework that governs the intricate relationships between various social classes, the king and his officers, the clergy, and the peasantry. It is a multifaceted document that appears to be a social contract between two parties: the people on the one hand, and the church and the king on the other. This new edition, translated into modern English, incorporates numerous references to research conducted since the previous editions in 1935 and 1981. The Gulathing Law serves as a means to balance diverse interests and provides detailed procedures for resolving conflicts. It defines personal rights and establishes a graduated scale of fines and compensation, taking into account the gravity of the insult, offense, and the social status of the individuals involved.

The law text reflects the internal conditions of the farming community in Western Norway during the High Middle Ages, encompassing economic transactions, disputes, damage to life and property, and theft. Accompanied by a translators introduction and a commentary essay that contextualizes the Gulathing Law within a theological and church history perspective, this volume is invaluable for both students and specialists in medieval Norwegian legal history and medieval Scandinavian law.

Weight: 562g
Dimension: 242 x 239 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367681500