Lögræði

Lögræði is an Old Norse term that translates to "law-standing" or "legal standing." It refers to a person's legal status and their ability to participate in the legal system of Viking Age society. This concept was fundamental to the social order and determined an individual's rights and responsibilities.

A person's lögræði was not static but could be gained, lost, or diminished throughout their life. Factors influencing lögræði included one's birth, social standing, property ownership, and legal conduct. For example, a freeborn man with property generally had full lögræði, allowing him to participate in assemblies, bring lawsuits, and own land. Conversely, a thrall (slave) had no legal standing and was essentially property themselves.

Lögræði also encompassed the ability to act as a witness, to be held accountable for one's actions through legal proceedings, and to receive legal protection. Losing one's lögræði could result in various forms of outlawry, where a person was removed from the protection of the law and could be killed with impunity. The concept highlights the structured nature of Viking Age law and the importance of one's recognized position within society to navigate its legal framework.