In the Middle Ages, the Nordic countries were divided into smaller areas, provinces. In Sweden and Denmark, these provinces were called "land" or "landskap". In Norway they were called "fylke". Many provinces were divided into smaller districts "folkland". This was the case in Uppland. Småland was not one single "landskap", but a name for many small "folkland".
During the early Middle Ages, the provinces were fairly independent. At the District Courts, or the County Councils, people met to discuss common issues. They made their own laws, the provincial laws. The court was led by a Chief Judge who was expected to know the law by heart. The King gradually gained control over the County Councils during the 14th century. He appointed the Chief Judge. In the provinces, candidates for the post were chosen. The King, however, made the ultimate choice. Sometimes, the King would choose a Chief Judge without listening to the advice of the people in the province.
Sometimes the province, or "landskap" served as a court and then it had another name in Swedish; "lagsaga". A "landskap" often corresponded to the judicial "lagsaga", but Småland, for example, had many districts belonging to the judicial areas of other provinces. The districts around Kalmar belonged to Östergötland. Other districts, for example Öland, formed their own "lagsaga".
The Chief Judge was an important person. Since he led the work of the County Council, he was the most influential man in the province. The Chief Judge was always a nobleman and one of the leading men of the country.