Meet the Middle Ages
BackThe Town Law of Magnus Eriksson
In the 1350 ´s, one law for all Swedish towns, and another law for the country-side, were written down. Before, each province had had a law of its own.
King Magnus Eriksson established these new national laws. That is why the town law is called the Town Law of Magnus Eriksson, and the country law is called the Country Law of Magnus Eriksson. Royal law experts wrote the texts. The Town Law has different chapters:
- How to elect the council and chief magistrates and admit new citizens in town
- How to ask for a wife and how to arrange a wedding feast
- How to divide legacies
- How to sell and buy land in town
- How to build dwelling-houses and privies
- How to do business and how to trade
- How to judge murder, assault, rape and theft
- About gambling
Every town was obliged to keep a copy of the law in the Town Hall. It was read aloud to the citizens at midsummer every year, so that everyone would know what the law said.