518 THE THING. 



" No peace was made between them, for neither would have 

 it The plain on which they fought was covered with blood, 

 and also the place where the Thornes-thing stood durino- the 

 fight 



" He began the arbitration by saying that both parties should 

 be content with their lot, that neither slain men nor wounds 

 should be paid for, and that the plain was spoiled by the 

 blood of hate which had come clown on it and was no longer 

 holier than other ground. Those who attacked first had 

 caused this which was the only breaking of peace. He said 

 that no Thing should thereafter be held there" 1 (Evrbv2-ia 



cy r\ i f\\ J J & oJ 



baga, c. 9, 10). 



On the journey to and from the Thing, and during its 

 duration, all the men were peace-holy. 



"All men named for Gulathing journey shall be at peace 

 with each other until they come back to their homes. If any 

 one breaks the peace and wounds or maims a man, he has 

 forfeited loose property and peace in the land, and shall never 

 come to the country " (N. G. L., ii. 16). 2 



The punishment given to those who did not heed the judg- 

 ment given at a law-thing, and confirmed by weapon-taking, 

 was a fine. 



(( If a man breaks the judgment given at a law-thing, and 

 confirmed by vapnatak inside and outside the law-court, then 

 he is to pay the king four marks of silver, and one mark to 

 the plaintiff" (N. G. L,, ii. 17). 



'If a man has been fined for breaking a judgment once, 

 and persists in disregarding it, then the king's stewards shall 

 summon him to a Thing and outlaw him unless he pays what 

 is then due. A man is liable to the same if he breaks the 

 judgment given at the Frostathing, and confirmed by vdpnatal 

 inside and outside the law-court " (Earlier Frostathing's Law 

 v. 46). 



In Iceland Things were held regularly twice a year, namely, 

 before and after the Althing (Thing for the whole land). 

 The one taking place in the springtime lasted at least four 

 days, or at most a week. 3 The other, called Leid, at the end 

 of summer, lasted not more than two days. 



1 Cfr. also Frostathing's Law, i. 2. 



2 Laws by King Magnus, A.D. 1263- 



1280. 



Gragas, 56. 



