Thanks for this, Laurel!
 
I can see where I totally missed the point, especially with "ómegð".  I thought he was dependant on the local "hreppur" himself, rather than supporting his own dependants.
 
Apparently they did have a kind of welfare system in that the whole country was divided into municipalities or "hreppr".  Typically these had a minimum of 20 residents, each owning sufficient property to be liable for the þing-tax.  Their boundaries were geographic and they functioned independently of the authority of the chieftains.  Primarily, they were to provide relief for the poor; to prevent people becoming paupers; to administer relief payments, judge claims, administer insurance payments and conduct community affairs.
 
Initially a pauper would turn to his/her family (as distant as 4th cousins) for support.  If he had no-one beyond 2nd cousins living in his hreppr, he could look to the hreppr for support.  He could offer to become a bondsman.  If this was not an option, he could claim from the hreppr - moving from one home to another to obtain maintenance ["manneldi"].  There were also precautionary measures to protect the hreppr from unwarranted claims.
 
The exact date when hreppar were set up is not known, however it must have been before the Tithe Law 1097 because this law charges the hreppr with responsibility for apportioning the tithe for the needy.  Various hreppr are referred to in Landnámabók.  One of their meeting places was a pioneer farm from the Age of Settlement, the others were established subsequently, which would imply that they were probably introduced sometime from 930 onwards.
 
The winter of 975-976 was particularly severe [as recorded in Skarðsárbók] (the same famine is also recorded in Norway and England).  Skarðsárbók records that paupers and the elderly were killed to take the strain off the community.  Other sources record protests at these killings, so possibly the hreppr and the system of provision of relief for the poor was established shortly after in response to this.
 
Hope this is of some interest!
 
I find it great doing these translations as a group - what one person misses is clear to another: half a dozen minds are definitely better collectively than individually!
 
Thanks,
Sarah.
----- Original Message -----
From: Laurel Bradshaw
To: norse_course@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, October 18, 2003 5:47 PM
Subject: Re: [norse_course] Hrafnkel 47 - 73 / Sarah

Sarah wrote:
Oops!  a little late - sorry!
 
Well, I'm even later.  Just finishing it up now and will post it shortly.
 
ok fekk þar góðar virðingar af Grikkjakonungi ok var um hrið.
and got there good valuables from Greek king and was a while.
where the Greek king gave him some valuable goods  and he stayed there for a while.
 
virðing is more honour or respect rather than actual goods, I think.
 
Þorbjõrn átti fé lítit, en ómegð mikla.  Sonr hans hét Einarr, inn elzti.
Thorbjorn owned livestock little, but dependent much.  Son his was called Einar, the eldest.
Thorbjorn didn't have much livestock and was on benefits.  His eldest son was called Einar.
 
On benefits??  Did they have such a welfare system?  According to Gordon ómegð is a collective noun meaning dependents (i.e. children and old people whom he is supporting)
 
Can anyone help me with the word "veldr" - couldn't find it in Gordon.
 
from valda = to wield; be the cause of, cause
 
Also I've tried to make my translations in blue sound more English and less translated.  Do you think I've gone too far from the original or does it convey the meaning better like this?  Any comments welcome!
 
I think you did fine in that regard without staying from the original meaning.  Not all constructions can be rendered literally in English anyway!
 
Laurel


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