The Loose Structure of Democracy in the Viking Age

Throughout the sagas roaming through Viking times, there has been mention of a certain annual event called the Althing. This is some sort of country wide happening where matters and problems are discussed, but it is usually briefly brought up and then disregarded. Grettir attends the Althing several times before he becomes an outlaw. Hrut and Hoskuld went to the Althing where Unn, Hrut’s wife, admitted to her “horrible” lifestyle with Hrut. This event was obviously very important, and unlike anything seen in different government structures throughout history. This type of system mirrors that which we have in the United States, which was rooted in equality and justice.

The Althing was a yearly event that essentially represented a government concerning all matters of Iceland. This affair could cover a number of topics, from reading over the current laws of the communities to creating new laws to addressing specific problems that occurred throughout the year. Free men from all over the country would gather there and voice their concerns and issues, where a council of specialized men would vote and decide on what kind of consequence that problem entailed. In certain instances, the penalty would be very violent while other times it would be a specific payment for the wrong doing. A large span of issues could be brought up at the Althing from acts of treachery to blood feuds. This judicial system mimics that of modern democracy in America.

Though the court system runs constantly throughout the year, it is still a very similar set up to that of the Viking age. Today, there is a set jury and judge to decide punishments for breaking the law and interrupting social balances. They are held much more often than once a year and in a variety of different places, but the basic premise is still the same. This is important because it shows a certain equalizing personality of the country, Iceland, as a whole. Most European countries near Iceland had monarchs going back hundreds of years, or a single family ruling over an area of land, but that influence did not infiltrate the people of Iceland. Those of the Viking age did not believe in a specific person being the ruler of their whole country, rather getting an opinion from several different and wise-minded individuals to encourage justice and fairness within the land.

This behavior most likely stems from the traditional nature of Iceland, where the culture around handling situations was very set in stone. They were very concerned with family and doing the correct societally normative actions. So if there was a problem that arose, not only was it noted and remembered by those involved, but it was brought up at the Althing, where a consequence would be dolled out. This system mirrors that which is America today, where wrongdoers are judged by several individuals, not just one man or one woman. The people of Iceland believe very firmly in the exposure to several opinions when determining someone’s fate, which stems from a culture buried in tradition. This attitude towards equality stands out due to the monarchial history around Europe, and made the Viking culture very distinct.