útlagna

Útlagna is a term found in Old Norse literature, often translated as "outlaw" or "exile." It describes an individual who has been declared an outlaw by a legal assembly, typically the Thing. Being declared an útlagna carried severe consequences, including the forfeiture of property and the loss of legal protection. An útlagna could be killed by anyone without legal repercussions.

The status of útlagna was not always permanent and could sometimes be reversed through a process of reconciliation or by paying a fine. However, the immediate effect was a complete severance from society and the law. This status often led individuals to live in remote areas or engage in criminal activities, further solidifying their outcast position. The concept of the útlagna highlights the importance of social order and legal frameworks in Viking Age society, with severe penalties for those who transgressed them. Stories in the sagas frequently feature characters who become útlagna, often due to feuds, murder, or other serious offenses, and their subsequent struggles for survival or redemption are common narrative threads.