þjóðþing

The þjóðþing, meaning "national assembly" or "parliament" in Old Norse, refers to historical Germanic assemblies where free men would gather to make laws, settle disputes, and decide on matters of public concern. These assemblies were a fundamental part of the political and legal system in early Scandinavian societies, including Iceland, Norway, and Denmark, as well as in Anglo-Saxon England (where similar institutions were known as witenagemots). The þjóðþing was not a representative body in the modern sense, but rather a gathering of the eligible citizenry.

Participation in the þjóðþing varied depending on the specific region and time period, but generally included chieftains, landholders, and other prominent individuals. Decisions were often made through consensus or by the will of the majority, with a presiding figure, often a law-speaker, guiding the proceedings. These assemblies played a crucial role in the development of early law and governance, providing a forum for collective decision-making and the establishment of shared customs and rules. The Althing, Iceland's parliament established in 930 AD, is perhaps the most famous and enduring example of a þjóðþing, continuing in various forms to the present day.