This incident shows how strong, in those ages, was the tie of relationship, and the point of honour of avenging its injuries—the clanship spirit.—L.
The Laplanders paid their scat, or yearly tax, in bows and arrows; and the meaning of the skald appears to be, that as many as were paid in a year were shot at the foe.—L
Another instance of the old Norse or Icelandic tongue having been generally known in a part of England.—L.
It is a singular physical circumstance, that in almost all the swords of those ages to be found in the collection of weapons in the Antiquarian Museum at Copenhagen, the handles indicate a size of hand very much smaller than the hands of modern people of any class or rank No modern dandy, with the most delicate hands, would find room for his hand to grasp or wield with case some of the swords of these Northmen.—L.
We may understand the arrangement by supposing the fire in the middle of the room, the smoke escaping by a hole in the roof, and a long bench on each side of the fire; one bench occupied by the high-seat of the king and great guests, the other by the rest of the guests, and the cup handed across the fire, which appears to have had a religious meaning previous to the introduction of Christianity.—L.
Fireworks, or the Greek fire, probably were used —L.
These law-quirks show a singularly advanced state of law, and deference to the Law Things, amidst such social disorder and misdeeds —L.
Morstrut is a short, fat, punchy fellow.—L.
Hauga-thing means a Thing held at the tumuli or burial mounds.—L.
These brotherhoods, by which one man was bound by oath to aid or avenge another, were common in the Middle Ages among all ranks. “Sworn brothers” is still a common expression with us.—L.
The Catholic priests appear to have had wives at that time in Norway, and celibacy to have been confined to the monks.—L.
Vatnorm, the name of this man, means the water-serpent, and appears to have been a favourite name for war-ships also hence the pun in the lines upon Vatnorm.—L.
The period is from 1157 to 1161.—L.
This reference to a Thing of the people in the affairs of the country is a striking example of the right of the Things being recognised, in theory at least, as fully as the right of our parliaments in later times—L.
The name of the lake not given.