Contract killings in old scandinavian society (in the late VIII - middle XI.)

Abstract

The article deals with the phenomenon of contract killings in early medieval Scandinavian society (VIII - middle XI.). It is shown in the research that the transformation of tribal system of feudal relations gave rise to numerous political and social conflicts. It was a major factor in the increase of violence during the Viking Age. Relationships in Scandinavian society regulated early medieval oral law, what was codified later in the XII - XIII centuries. Its social function was to create a system of compromises and peace. The publication traces the main forms of liability provided for murder. All the way it explains the basic forms of the revealed outlaw, exile and, in fact, a large quantity of illegal persons. In the article was considered a significant role of the contract killings. Head of state or community used to do contract killings in the political struggle. Most of all them were realized also in the vendetta conflicts. There were use killers to escape the people who were in outlaw position of society. The main categories of killers were such as: arms - professional soldiers. For confidential solve problems they were getting more influence and improved its financial situation. Freemen who received compensation from the customer. In some cases they acted at their own risk. Some are regularly made such job. Outlaw persons. Sometimes they was allowed to having patronage of famous bonds or hesrirs. In moments of crisis there was hunting process in the community for the people who were in a similar status. The opportunity gave them chance to withdraw the sentence and return to normal life. The author of the article analyzes the possibility of entering women miliary formation and their possible part in the contract killings area. Attention is paid to identity the perpetrators, their relationship with elements of ritual worship of the god Odin (as the patron saint of soldiers), criminals and infringer boundaries of social norms.