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The Role of Customary Law in the Legislative Work of King Magnús lagabætir Hákonarson (1263–1280)

Unintentional Harm in Norway and Iceland in the Thirteenth Century

Julián Valle
Scandinavian Studies, July 2025, 97 (3) 1-26; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/sca.97.3.1
Julián Valle
Julián Valle completed his PhD at the Linguistic, Literary and Aesthetics Department of the University of Bergen. His research deals with the reception and adaptation of the latter laws of Iceland during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.
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Abstract

This article explores the process of compilation of the legislation over unintentional harm (ON váðaverk) to show the relationship between the customary laws of Norway and Iceland and its appropriation in the royal legislation of King Magnús Hákonarson. It deals with the complex relationship between the customary laws and the royal legislation, by analyzing how these sources were combined, concepts redefined, and new meanings produced in order to advance in the legal unification of Norway and Iceland. It argues that the customary laws of Iceland, collectively known as Grágás, were a source for the compilation of the Norwegian Landslǫ g, and that the legislation over this issue received sustained attention from the Norwegian crown until its definitive realization in Jónsbók.

Keywords
  • Iceland
  • Norway
  • customary law
  • royal legislation
  • Jónsbók
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Scandinavian Studies: 97 (3)
Scandinavian Studies
Vol. 97, Issue 3
1 Jul 2025
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The Role of Customary Law in the Legislative Work of King Magnús lagabætir Hákonarson (1263–1280)
Julián Valle
Scandinavian Studies Jul 2025, 97 (3) 1-26; DOI: 10.3368/sca.97.3.1

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The Role of Customary Law in the Legislative Work of King Magnús lagabætir Hákonarson (1263–1280)
Julián Valle
Scandinavian Studies Jul 2025, 97 (3) 1-26; DOI: 10.3368/sca.97.3.1
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Jump to section

  • Article
    • Abstract
    • Mannhelgi
    • The Law on Accidents in Jónsbók
    • Accidents in the Customary Laws
    • Accidents in the Laws of King Magnús Hákonarson
    • Changes and Continuities
    • Conclusion
    • Footnotes
    • Works Cited
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Keywords

  • Iceland
  • Norway
  • customary law
  • royal legislation
  • Jónsbók
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