löggjafarþing

Löggjafarþing, also known as the Althing, was the parliament of the Norse people, particularly the Swedes and Norwegians, from the 10th to the 18th century. It was a gathering of free men, known as þingmenn, who would travel to the assembly site to participate in legislative and judicial functions. The Althing was not a permanent institution but rather a periodic event, typically held twice a year, in the spring and autumn.

The Althing was established to maintain law and order, settle disputes, and make decisions on matters of national importance. It was presided over by the Lawspeaker, or lögsögumaður, who was responsible for interpreting the laws and ensuring that the proceedings were conducted fairly. The assembly could pass laws, levy taxes, and declare war. However, its powers were limited, and it could not enforce its decisions without the support of the local jarls or earls.

The Althing played a crucial role in the development of Norse law and customs. It was the forum where laws were debated, amended, and interpreted. The laws of the Althing, known as the Alþingislag, were compiled in the 13th century and remained the basis of Icelandic law until the 20th century.

The Althing's influence began to decline in the 18th century as the power of the jarls and the Danish monarchy increased. In 1799, the Althing was formally abolished by the Danish-Norwegian king, Christian VII, who established a new constitution and centralized the government. However, the legacy of the Althing lived on in the Icelandic parliament, the Althingi, which was re-established in 1845.