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INTBODtrCTION.
13
These laws were at first only rules evolved out of common usages, but
slowly they assumed a more fixed form. By means of tradition they were
carried from one generation to the other in short rhymes — fiokkr — which
were finally gathered into a continuous whole — laghsaga. The lawman —
laghmapær — recited these laws publicly at the judicial assembly — ping.
Of all the Scandinavian countries Sweden possesses the largest and most
valuable collection of lawliterature. A large number of lawbooks have been
preserved more or less complete. Each bearing the peculiar mark of the state
or part, where it has been compiled, but otherwise very similar as to contents.
They bear the following titles:
1. Västgötalagen, from about 1200 a. d.
It was the law of Västergötland.
2. Östgötalagen, from 1285—1295 a. d.
It was the law of Östergötland.
3. Gutalagen, from the last part of the thirteenth century.
It was the law of the island of Gotland. This was the statute law of
Gotland until 1645, and exists in several different editions. A German and a
Danish manuscript of this law are copies of a redaction even prior to the one,
from which the Swedish has been copied. It is one of the most valuable laws.
4. Uplandslagen, from 1296 was the law of Upland. It is a very
important law, and has also a most valuable introduction. It says, that Viger
Spaa’s old laws were scattered about — strönningium hafpus i flerum
flokkum — and were in great need of a revision. The lawman of Tiundaland,
Birger Person, petitioned the king to propose some remedy.
The king was unwilling to alter the old law, but finally ordered Birger to
select a committee to revise it. He selected the dean Andreas And, and ten
other laymen. The work was soon accomplished, and it was sanctioned by
the king in 1296. This is an evidence of the increasing power of the king. The
king’s code of this law is very important, as it contains the outline of the
constitution of Sweden.
5. Södermannalagen received royal sanction 1327. It was the law of
Södermanland. Lawman Lars Ulfsson is mentioned as its compiler.
6. Västmannalagen exists in two different copies, made for private use.
The older one is from the beginning of the fourteenth century. It was the law
of Västmanland.
7. Dalalagen was the law of Dalarne, and it is thought that this law and
the oldest edition of Västmannalagen were the same.
8. Hälsingelagen, from 1320—1327. It was the law of Hälsingland and
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