Codex Holmiensis

Codex Holmiensis is the manuscript of the Danish Code of Jutland, a civil code enacted under Valdemar II of Denmark. The code covered Funen and Jutland down to the Eider River. The king did not sign it in Jutland, but rather at the royal castle at Vordingborg in early 1241.

With law shall land [nation] be built. [...] And if all men would keep [be content with] what is theirs, and let others enjoy the same rights, there would be no need of [a] law. [...] If the land had no law, then he would have the most who could grab [by force] the most.
The law, must be honest, just, reasonable, and according to the ways of the people. It must meet their needs, and speak plainly so that all men may know and understand what the law is. It is not to be made in any man's favor, but for the needs of all them who live in the land. No man shall judge [condemn] the law which the King has given and the country chosen; neither shall he [the King] take it back without the will of the people.

The Code was succeeded by Christian V's Danish Code of 1683; however in certain parts of Schleswig parts of the Code were used until the arrival of Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch in 1900.

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