CHAPTER XIV. 



DEBTS AND ROBBERY. 



Stringency of laws on debt An insolvent debtor the property of the creditor 

 Redemption of debtor Robbery and burglary Robbery with violence 

 Robbery without violence Punishments Irreclaimable thieves- 

 Laws on theft. 



NOTHING could show more plainly that, apart from the pro- 

 fession of Vikinc/ry, the people carried on their commercial 

 transactions in a very honourable way, than the fact that the 

 laws on debt were very stringent, and that robbery, arson, 

 adulteration of food, &c., were punished most severely, and in 

 some cases put the offender outside the pale of the law. 



In regard to debts and the right of the creditor, some 

 customs which had become law seem to be of high antiquity. 



When a debtor could not pay, he had to come to the Thing 

 and offer his person to his kinsmen, if they would pay the 

 debt ; first to the nearest kinsman ; then, if he would not, he 

 could offer himself to any of the others. If none of the 

 kinsmen would have him, he belonged to his creditor till he 

 had paid the debt by work or otherwise. 



A woman who was a debtor could not offer herself without 

 the consent of her kinsmen. 



The owner of the debtor could use him as his thrall as long 

 as the debt was not paid, but the debtor had the rett to which 

 he was born in regard to all other men. His master could 



O 



beat him. but was not allowed to sell him unless he paid 

 a fine of forty marks, or unless he ran away, when he 

 became a real thrall. The debtor could also give his child 

 for a higher debt than three marks. 



If he did not stay with his creditor, he was allowed half 

 a month to go through the Fylky and try to get the debt paid. 

 If the creditor wanted only the money and not the person, he 

 could offer the debtor to his kinsmen; or, if thev would not 



