lögbókum

Lögbókum refers to ancient Icelandic law books. These manuscripts contain the laws of Iceland from the Viking Age and the medieval period, primarily reflecting the legal traditions of the Old Norse world. The most significant of these is Grágás, meaning "Gray Goose," which is the most comprehensive collection of Icelandic laws from the period before the introduction of Christianity and the subsequent codification under Norwegian rule.

Grágás is divided into several parts, detailing laws related to criminal offenses, property rights, family law, and the functioning of the Althing, Iceland's ancient parliament. Other important lögbókum include Jónsbók, enacted in 1281, which replaced Grágás and incorporated elements of Norwegian law, and several later provincial law books. These texts are invaluable historical sources, offering insights into the social, political, and legal structures of early Icelandic society, as well as providing a rich understanding of Old Norse language and literature. They were painstakingly copied by hand, often by monks or learned individuals, and preserved for centuries.