KINGS or NORWAY. 171 replied, " If thou, brother, mlt follow the law, and saga xh. punish such acts according to the country's privileges, then it would be most correct that Sigurd Hranesson produce his witnesses, and that the case be judged at the Thing, but not at a meeting ; for the case comes under the law of the land, not under Biarko law." * Then said Sigurd, " It may possibly be so that the case belongs to it, as thou sayest. King Eystein ; and if it be against law what has hitherto been done in this case, then we shall bring it before the Thing." Then the kings parted, and each seemed determined to take his o^Yn way. King Sigurd summoned the parties in the case before the Arnarness Thing, and intended to pursue it there. King Eystein came also to the Thing-place ; and when the case was brought forward for judgment. King Eystein went to the Thing before judgment was given upon Sigurd Hran- esson. Now King Sigurd told the lagmen to pro- nounce the judgment; but King Eystein replied thus : " I trust there are here men acquainted suffi- ciently with the laws of Norway, to know that they cannot condemn a lenderman to be outlawed at this Thing." f And he then explained how the law was, so that every man clearly understood it. Then said King Sigurd, ^' Thou art taking up this matter very warmly. King Eystein, and it is likely the case will cost more trouble before it comes to an end than we intended ; but nevertheless we shall follow it out. I will have him condemned to be outlawed in his native place." Then said King Eystein, " There are cer- tainly not many things which do not succeed with
- The meaning here is not clear. It may be that higher up in the
north than Biarko, the Thing circle and jurisdiction were not so well established; and that there meetings and summary proceedings prevailed, and not regular Thing-law. Biarko-ret was a particular and old code. t This Arnarness Thing was probably not the competent court; for it appears by the Grey Goose that all forms and jurisdictions were settled and highly important points in the administration of law.
