Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The word Viking is derived from
vík
, which means bay or cove in Old Norse and probably
referred to Viking anchorages during raids.
Assembling the Alþing
By the time Ingólfur's son Þorsteinn reached adulthood, the whole island was scattered
with farms, and people began to feel the need for some sort of government. Iceland's
landowners gathered first at regional assemblies to trade and settle disputes, but it became
apparent that a national assembly was needed. This was a completely novel idea at the
time, but Icelanders reasoned that it must be an improvement on the oppressive system
they had experienced under the Nordic monarchy.
In the early 10th century Þorsteinn Ingólfsson held Iceland's first large-scale district as-
sembly near Reykjavík, and in the 920s the self-styled lawyer Úlfljótur was sent to study
Norway's law codes and prepare something similar that would be suitable for Iceland.
At the same time Grímur Geitskör was commissioned to find a location for the Alþing
(National Assembly). Bláskógar, near the eastern boundary of Ingólfur's estate, with its
beautiful lake and wooded plain, seemed ideal. Along one side of the plain was a long cliff
with an elevated base (the Mid-Atlantic Ridge), from where speakers and representatives
could preside over people gathered below.
In 930 Bláskógar was renamed Þingvellir (Assembly Plains). Þorsteinn Ingólfsson was
given the honorary title
allsherjargoði
(supreme chieftain) and Úlfljótur was designated
the first
lögsögumaður
(law speaker), who was required to memorise and annually recite
the entire law of the land. It was he, along with the 48
goðar
(chieftains), who held the ac-
tual legislative power.
Although squabbles arose over the choice of leaders and allegiances were continually
questioned, the new parliamentary system was a success. At the annual convention of the
year 1000, the assembled crowd was bitterly divided between pagans and Christians, and
civil war looked likely. Luckily, Þorgeir, the incumbent law speaker, was a master of tact.
The
Íslendingabók
relates that he retired to his booth, refusing to speak to anyone for a day
and a night while he pondered the matter. When he emerged, he decreed that Iceland
should accept the new religion and convert to Christianity, although pagans (such as him-
self) were to be allowed to practise their religion in private. This decision gave the
