Ancient Norwegian property laws

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Two Norwegian property laws, so ancient that the time of their enactment is lost, govern Norwegian property. These are the Åsetesrett (homestead right), and the Odelsrett (also referred to as allodial right).

This property system created a Norwegian farm culture which contributed to the independence and relative equality the Norwegians maintained, even during the Danish or Swedish periods. It was considered important enough that it was included in the 1814 constitution.

[edit] References

• History of the Norwegian People by Knut Gjerset, MacMillan, 1917
• Kong Christian the Fjerdes Norske Lovbog af 1604 (King Christian IV's Norwegian Book of Law of 1604)