In this episode we explore the offices and institutions which made up the Icelandic Free State. Through comprehensive legal codes, accepted traditions and customs and regular, predictable assembly the Icelanders were able to govern themselves for over three centuries without a king, head chieftain or any other executive authority to speak of.
How did they do it? Well, that’s what we are going to talk about today.
This week’s recommended reading is near and dear to my heart. Viking Age Iceland by Jesse Byock is the definitive single volume history of the Icelandic Free State in English. Moving topically, Professor Byock explores all aspects of life in Iceland during the Viking Age. For anyone interested in learning more about Iceland during this period this book is a must read. Plus, you can see first hand just how often I have turned to Viking Age Iceland while researching these episodes.
For more information and to see the works cited for this episode please visit: http://vikingagepodcast.com/icelandic-free-state
Looking Forward - We need your input!
COA09 - Ritual and Sacrifice in Pagan Iceland
COA08 - Bringing Thor to Iceland
COA07 - Chieftains and Temples
COA06 - Icelandic Law and Culture II: The People of Eyri
COA05 - Icelandic Law and Culture I: Mord the Fiddle
VS04 - The Ghost of Thorolf Twist-Foot
COA03 - Conflict and Things in Early Iceland
COA02 - Taking Land in Iceland
COA01 - The Discovery of Iceland
The Children of Ash
VS03 - The Story of Harald Finehair III
VS02 - The Story of Harald Finehair II
Viking Stories 01 - The Story of Harald Finehair I
A Quick Update
33 - A Journey Through Society: The Lay of Rig
32 - Anniversary Q&A
31 - The Viking Soul
30 - Fate in the Viking Age - Viking Worlds III
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