Njal's Saga
Jacqueline Corrales
Law and Order in Icelandic Society
Icelandic society in the tenth century had many imperfections in today’s standard of civil order. In an effort not to succumb to the tyranny of Norway, Iceland in 1000 CE as depicted in the narratives of Njal’s Saga tries to stand apart and become a free nation.1 By attempting to build a society free of monarchical rule, which was governed by laws and institutions that functioned with dignity, they tried to deter bloodshed and chaos. 2 In the absence of state, Iceland faced many challenges trying to institute law and order. Icelandic society revolved around matters of organization of a hierarchical society, the arrangement of marriages and divorces, and the obligations within the kin group with respect to feuds and the handling of disputes.3 The foundation story in the narratives of Njal’s saga demonstrate that the nature of Icelandic society was to establish flight and settlement in that area of the world during that time period.4 The common Icelander wanted to import the laws of Norway into Icelandic society. This was done by establishing the general annual meeting known, as Althing.5 Althing was one of the methods …show more content…
The Vikings after settling in 1000 CE lost most of their Scandinavian culture and abided by normal Western European aristocracy.4 The Viking society faced more instability in reference to their common day civilization because Iceland did not yet have a sovereign state or governing agent. The Visigoth society however did have guidelines to follow as part of a society that was ruled by Rome. Both cultures suffer instability because one has no set societal norms and the other tries to rebel against the instituted
Law and Order in Icelandic Society
Icelandic society in the tenth century had many imperfections in today’s standard of civil order. In an effort not to succumb to the tyranny of Norway, Iceland in 1000 CE as depicted in the narratives of Njal’s Saga tries to stand apart and become a free nation.1 By attempting to build a society free of monarchical rule, which was governed by laws and institutions that functioned with dignity, they tried to deter bloodshed and chaos. 2 In the absence of state, Iceland faced many challenges trying to institute law and order. Icelandic society revolved around matters of organization of a hierarchical society, the arrangement of marriages and divorces, and the obligations within the kin group with respect to feuds and the handling of disputes.3 The foundation story in the narratives of Njal’s saga demonstrate that the nature of Icelandic society was to establish flight and settlement in that area of the world during that time period.4 The common Icelander wanted to import the laws of Norway into Icelandic society. This was done by establishing the general annual meeting known, as Althing.5 Althing was one of the methods …show more content…
The Vikings after settling in 1000 CE lost most of their Scandinavian culture and abided by normal Western European aristocracy.4 The Viking society faced more instability in reference to their common day civilization because Iceland did not yet have a sovereign state or governing agent. The Visigoth society however did have guidelines to follow as part of a society that was ruled by Rome. Both cultures suffer instability because one has no set societal norms and the other tries to rebel against the instituted