In the course of time and towards the latter part of the pagan era there arose from the Herad towns proper (kaupstad = trading-places), and the people formed a separate class whose interests were not identical with those of the bondi, and who required a special government and Thing. The common law of the towns is known under the name of Bjarkeyjar-rétt (town law). Each town had its mót, formed by all householders (húsfastir).
There were also meetings of people of the Hrepp, which was a tract of country consisting of at least 20 bœndr, who were able to give pay to Thingmen. Their meetings were ordinary or extraordinary. For extraordinary meetings they had to send the cross (or in early times the war-arrow) around. At the meeting the affairs of the poor and other burdens of the community, and the regulations concerning order, were settled. Five men were chosen, who were the representatives or executive power of the community. These men had not necessarily to be landowners. Their duty was to prosecute vagabonds or criminals, and to be present at oath-taking.
“There shall be lawful Hrepps in this country (Iceland). It is lawful when 20 bœndr or more are in it. If the lögréttu-men (law-court men) allow it there may be fewer (bœndr).... Five landowners (bœndr) shall be chosen in every Hrepp to prosecute all those who do not fulfil their duties in the Hrepp, and also to divide the tithes and food-gifts (to the poor), or see to the keeping of oaths taken by men. They need not be landowners if all the men of the Hrepp agree.... If a pauper is unlawfully brought into the Hrepp, the man to whom he is sent shall cut a cross if he thinks he needs a Hrepp-meeting, and carry it to the next house, and there appoint a Hrepp-meeting within seven nights or more, and tell the others to carry the cross. Then each of them shall have it carried as directed by the man who cut it, and it shall be sent in all directions” (Grágás, p. 171, § 234).
The resolutions taken at the Thing were finally confirmed by the vápnatak (weapon-taking), for, as we know, the thingmen during the deliberations put away their weapons, and by again taking them up and shaking them they declared matters settled and the Thing dissolved.
“King Sverri summoned the people to Eyrathing[[519]] in Thrándheim, and named twelve men from each Fylki of the eight which are on that side of Agdanes. When they came, the name of king was given to Sverri at this Thing of eight Fylkis, and it was done with weapon-taking, and the people of the land took oaths to him, according to the old laws of the land” (Fornmanna Sögur, viii. 41).
Sigurd Slembidjakn, who pretended to be the son of Magnus Bare-foot, murdered Harald Gilli of Norway in his bed at night, and then asked the people to take him as king.
“Many from the king’s house came down to the piers, and all answered, as with one mouth, declaring it should never be that they would yield homage and service to a man who had murdered his brother; ‘for if he was not thy brother, thou art not born to be king.’ They clashed their weapons together, and declared them all to be outlawed and peaceless. Then the king’s horn was blown, and all the lendirmen and hirdmen were gathered” (Harald Gilli’s Saga, c. 18).
Between the sessions of the Thing amusements took place, among them that of saga-telling; and the people who attended were often finely dressed.
“Thormod the scald wondered that no man was in the booth, as many were there when he fell asleep. Fifl-Egil entered and said: ‘Too far art thou now from great fun.’ Thormod answered: ‘Where wast thou, or what is the fun?’ Egil answered: ‘I was in the booth of Thorgrim Trölli, and a great part of the Thing-assembly is there.’ Thormod asked: ‘What is their amusement?’ Egil answered: ‘Thorgrim Einarsson is telling a saga.’ Thormod asked: ‘Of whom is he telling a saga?’ Egil answered: ‘I know not about whom the saga is, but I know that he tells it well and entertainingly; he sits on a chair outside the booth, and the people sit round and listen to the saga.’ Thormod said: ‘Thou must be able to name some man mentioned in the saga, especially as thou sayest it is so entertaining.’ Egil answered: ‘One Thorgeir, a great champion, was mentioned in the saga as having fought very well, as is likely. I should like thee to go and listen to the saga.’ Thormod answered: ‘I can do it,’ and rose”[[520]] (Fostbrœdra Saga, c. 32).
“The sons of Hjalti made an arvel after the death of their father. They were summoned to the Thorskafjardar-thing. When they came to the Thing they were so well dressed that people thought the Ásar had come” (Landnáma, iii. c. 10).