Rikeregelen

Rikeregelen is a term used in Scandinavian historiography to describe the constitutional framework that governed the relationship between the ruler and other state organs within the realm. In scholarly discussions, the concept refers to the set of rules, norms, and practices that limited royal prerogatives and shaped how royal power operated in practice, including the roles of advisory councils, parliaments or assemblies, and church institutions. The precise meaning of rikeregelen varies among sources, and it is not a fixed legal term with a single definition.

Etymology and scope. The word combines elements meaning “realm” (rik) and “rules” or “regulations” (regler/regelen) and is used in Norwegian and related Scandinavian languages to denote the governing rules of the realm. The term appears in discussions of medieval and early modern governance, and it is often interpreted as pointing to the conditions under which rulers could exercise authority.

Historical context. In the history of Denmark-Norway and later Norway as a separate kingdom, rikeregelen is associated with the development of centralized authority alongside legal and customary checks. It encompasses agreements, oaths, charters, and the evolving influence of churches, nobility, and representative bodies. Over time, various historians view rikeregelen as part of the broader transition from personal rule toward constitutional norms and parliamentary governance.

Modern usage. In contemporary scholarship, rikeregelen is used to frame discussions about the origins of constitutional monarchy and the emergence of institutional limits on royal power. It is often treated as a conceptual tool rather than a single codified law, reflecting how historical authorities balanced continuity, tradition, and formal constraints.

See also: constitutional monarchy, monarchy, parliament, Storting, Riksdag, early modern Scandinavia.