reiðpeningum

Reiðpeningum is an Old Norse term that translates to "riding money" or "horse money." It was a type of payment used in medieval Scandinavia, primarily associated with the payment of feudal dues or rents related to the use of horses or the ability to provide mounted service. The concept of reiðpeningum reflects the importance of horses in medieval society, both for transportation and for military purposes. Owning and maintaining horses was a significant expense, and this form of payment acknowledged that. It could be paid in coin, but also in other forms of valuable goods or labor that contributed to the upkeep or provision of horses. The specific value and nature of reiðpeningum varied across different regions and time periods within the Norse world. It was part of a broader system of economic and social obligations that characterized the early medieval Scandinavian societies. Understanding reiðpeningum offers insight into the practicalities of landholding, service, and the economic structures that supported the warrior elite and the functioning of the society.