Northern Antiquities/Chapter 8

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Chapter VII

Northern Antiquities (1770)
by Paul Henri Mallet, translated by Thomas Percy

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Paul Henri Mallet4594976Northern Antiquities — Chapter VIII1770Thomas Percy

CHAPTER VIII.

Of the form of government which formerly prevailed in the North.

THE character of the ancient northern nations is, in some measure, laid open in the former book. It is the nature of every religion which is the handywork of men, always to carry marks of the weakness of its authors, and to breathe forth the same spirit, with which they themselves were animated. Their government and laws are another faithful mirrour, wherein that spirit may be seen with no less advantage. It is obvious, that the laws cannot long be contrary to the genius of a nation. Sooner or later they will be impressed with its character, or they will give it theirs. These are two streams very different in their sources, but which as soon as they unite in the same channel, have but one force and one direction. The importance of this subject makes it incumbent on me to treat it with some extent, and to bring together with the utmoft care all the feeble and fcattered rays, which throw any light upon it amid the obfcurity of fo many dark ages.

In the firft place, let us confult Tacitus, that excellent hiftorian of ancient Germany, who in his little compendious narrative, hath given in a few pages a moft ftrik- ing picture of the inhabitants of this vaft country. It is needlefs to repeat here what is known to all who have read his treatife concerning Germany, that he comprehended under this name all Scan- dinavia; and whatever he fays of the for- mer equally regards the latter. His words ought to be given here intire, and weighed with care. Among this people, he fays, “the chiefs, or princes^[1], determine some affairs of less importance; all the rest are reserved for the general assembly: Yet even thefe the decifion of which is vested in the people, are beforehand discussed by the chiefs. . . . At these affemblies they take their seats all of them armed. Silence is commanded by the prieſts, whoſe buſineſs it is at fuch times to maintain order. Then the king or chief fpeaks firft; afterwards the great men are heard in their turns with that attention which is due to their age, to their nobility, their reputation in war, their eloquence; greater deference being paid to their power of perfuafion, than to their perfonal authority. their advice difpleafes, the people reject it with a general murmur: If it is approved of, they clash their lances^[2]. It is the moft honourable way of expreffing their assent, or of conferring praife, to do it by their arms. . . . Criminal caufes may alfo be brought before this great coun- cil of the nation. . . . In the same assemblies are elected the chiefs or princes, whose business it is to distribute justice thro' the towns and villages. To each of these are joined a hundred assessors chosen out of the people, who assist the chief with their advice and authority. . . . The kings are chofen for their no- "ble birth; the leaders or generals for "their perfonal valour.^[3] The power of "the kings is not arbitrary, but limited. Page:Northern Antiquities 1.djvu/234 proportion to the number and valour of their attendants. Then is their friendship sought after by embassies, and cultivated by presents. . . . In battle, it would be a disgrace to the chief to be excelled in courage by any of his followers: A disgrace to his followers not to equal their chief. Should he perish, they would be exposed to the highest infamy through life if they should survive him, and escape from battle. . . . The chiefs fight for victory: They for their chief. . . . To retain their followers in their service, no prince or chief hath any other resource but war. They require of him one while a horse trained for war: One while a victorious and bloody lance. His table rudely served, but with great abundance, serves them instead of pay.”

All the most distinguished circumstances which characterize the ancient Gothic form of government, are contained in this remarkable passage. Here we see Kings, who owe their advancement to an illustrious extraction, presiding, rather than ruling, over a free people. Here we see the Nation assembling at certain stated times, and making resolutions in their own persons on all affairs of importance, as to enact laws, Page:Northern Antiquities 1.djvu/236 Chiefs and their Followers, evidently con- tains whatever was effential to the nature of Vaffalage, and all the changes which were afterwards made in it were only flight and accidental, occafioned by the conquefts and new eftablishments, which followed from it.

If we confider after this, the character of thefe nations, as it is fketched out by Tacitus, we fhall not be furprized to fee them wedded to inftitutions which they found fo fuitable to their fituation and tem- per: For being the moft free and warlike people upon earth, they muſt have had a natural averfion to the authority of a fingle perfon; and if they placed themſelves un- der leaders, it was only becauſe war cannot be conducted in any other form. As free men, they would only obey from choice, and be lefs influenced by perfonal authority than by reafon: As warriors, they con- ceived no other duty to be owing to a prince, than to be ready to fhed their blood for his cause.

↑ De minoribus rebus Principes consultant; de majoribus Omnes. Tacit. Germ. c. 11, 12, 13, 14, &c.
↑ Frameas concutiunt. Tacit.
↑ REGES ex nobilitate; DUCES ex virtute sumunt. Tacit. c. 7.

This work was published before January 1, 1930, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.

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[1] De minoribus rebus Principes consultant; de majoribus Omnes. Tacit. Germ. c. 11, 12, 13, 14, &c.

[2] Frameas concutiunt. Tacit.

[3] REGES ex nobilitate; DUCES ex virtute sumunt. Tacit. c. 7.

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