Law and order
Most Viking countries were ruled by kings. Earls and
chieftains were also powerful: some had their own armies and warships. Most farmers and craftsmen were ordinary freemen. There were also many slaves.
The king ruled over everyone.
Earls and chieftains were also important leaders.
Most men were ordinary freemen.
Slaves were not free people. They belonged to a master.
A thing or assembly was a gathering of local freemen. They met together regularly in the open air to make and discuss laws and to decide punishments for criminals. Many Viking families got caught up in violent blood-feuds. Any argument might end in a fight. If someone was killed, the dead man's family saw it as their right to take revenge. Blood-feuds sometimes ended by one side paying 'blood-money' as compensation.
A 'thing' is a big social occasion, where people got together to play sport, do business and arrange weddings.
