Setlög

Setlög is a term that appears in Old Norse texts, notably in the Poetic Edda. It is generally understood to refer to a specific set of laws or a legal code that existed in ancient Scandinavian societies. The exact nature and scope of these setlög are not fully clear from the surviving texts, as they are often mentioned in a mythological or historical context rather than being detailed legal statutes.

In some interpretations, setlög are associated with the establishment of order and governance within a community. They might have encompassed fundamental rules regarding social structure, property rights, and dispute resolution. The term itself suggests a foundation or a settled legal framework.

The presence of setlög in the mythological narratives often ties into the broader themes of justice and the maintenance of cosmic or social order. They can be seen as a reflection of how early Germanic and Norse peoples conceptualized law and its importance in their society. While specific legal texts from this period are scarce, references to setlög provide valuable insights into the legal consciousness of the time.