regllæg

Regllæg is a term that appears in Old Norse literature, primarily in legal contexts. It translates roughly to "laying down the law" or "establishing a law." The word is a compound of "regin," meaning rulers or mighty ones, and "lög," meaning law. In ancient Germanic societies, laws were often orally transmitted and upheld by assemblies of free men, and the process of creating or formalizing these laws could be referred to as regllæg.

The concept is significant for understanding the development of legal systems in the Norse world. It implies a structured process for governance and the codification of societal rules. While specific instances of "regllæg" are not always detailed, its presence in sagas and legal texts points to a formalized approach to lawmaking that was central to the functioning of Viking Age and medieval Scandinavian societies. The term suggests an act of authority and deliberation, where established norms were recognized and potentially modified. The idea of rulers or respected members of society taking a formal role in shaping the law is encapsulated in this term.