[534]. Grágás, 59.
[535]. Grágás, 23.
[536]. The old laws of Sweden were published during the years 1827–77 (the life-work of Schlyter), in Lund, in thirteen volumes; the thirteenth volume is a dictionary to the twelve volumes preceding it.
[537]. The Danish ell is a trifle more than two English feet.
[538]. Gulathing, so called from Gula or Guley (an island), where the Thing took place. Frostathing, from some local name. Our knowledge of the earlier laws of the Northmen is derived from the earlier Gulathing’s Law, almost completely preserved in writing from the latter half of the 12th century. The earlier Frostathing’s Law is almost completely preserved in a writing from the earlier part of the 13th century. Of the earlier Eidsifjathing’s Law, the earlier Borgarthing’s Law, and the earlier Bjarkeyjar Law, or town-law, there are only fragments left. Most of the Icelandic laws are comprised in the Grágás, which is completely preserved in writing not later than the year 1200.
The historical Sagas often show the effect of the laws in real life and how the latter were interpreted by the people.
[539]. Nefnd also = a body of men or arbitrators to give judgment in a case. In the old Swedish law it was composed of twelve members (see Schlyter). It is not found in the Icelandic laws, but the Görd is its equivalent.
[540]. Grágás, 211–217.
[541]. In the same Saga, c. 96, there is another account of the powers of the lawman.
In ch. 81, the king (of Sweden), the jarl of Vestr Gautland, and the lawman Thorgnýr are all three called höfdingjar = chiefs.