Page:History of the Literature of the Scandinavian North.djvu/89

Rh Wise, and frame a code of laws for Iceland. When in 928 the first Althing for the whole island met at Thingvellir, it accepted Ulfljot's code as the law of the land. In the year 1117 it was revised by a committee of men learned in the law, and for the first time put in writing, and thus it is probable that Iceland was the first northern country to receive a written law. In its present form the "Graygoose" is made up of parts belonging to different epochs, but all pointing to an older source, so that, taken as a whole, it must be regarded as one work, the fruit of the labor of many generations. Characteristic of the "Graygoose" in a higher degree than of any other old Norse law-book is the remarkable and practical common sense on which it is based throughout. The legal regulations are unusually clear and comprehensive; special cases are provided for with the greatest sagacity; in short, it is in all respects an able record of a system which proceeded from the people and was developed by the people. Justly has it been said of this splendid work, that although the Roman law had no influence on its legal provisions, still a Roman spirit may in many instances be traced, and that the technical accuracy of its law-terms, the thorough development of its judicial and legal forms, and its fine distinctions, give evidence of a higher degree of civil culture than is usually conceded to the olden North.

After Iceland had been subjugated to Norway it received a code which is called after King Hakon Hakonson, who began its compilation on the basis of the old law-book,, but which, on account of the severe punishments it provided, also was styled Járnsíða (Ironside). This work was, however, never completed for reason of the Icelanders' great dissatisfaction with it. Hakon's successor, Magnus, therefore, began the compilation anew, and founded his laws on other principles. The code thus completed was adopted in the year 1280 and was called Jónsbók after Jon Einarsson, who had the greater share in its compilation. It is in part, particularly in respect to agrarian laws, still the law of Iceland.