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236 BELIQION OF TUB NOBTHMEN.
CHAPTER XXTTI.
OATHS ; DUELS AST) BEESEEKSGANG ; OEDEALS OK JUDG-
MENTS OF THE GODS.
As the heathen Northmen considered Judicial
Proceedings in the main to be closely connected
with Keligion, and, so to speak, under the direction
of the Gods, from whom they imagined all Law and
Justice originally proceeded—so did they also con-
ceive that the Gods, especially in certain legal pro-
ceedings, more immediately made their appearance,
either as witnesses or as judges. Of such proceed-
ings the Oath and the Duel were the most import-
ant.
The Oath (ei8r) was regarded by the heathen
Northmen as a most sacred act. The solemn Oath
was administered in a temple or at the great Assemblies
(|)ing). He who took the oath called upon
one or more of the .^Esir to witness, while he held in
his hand the so-called Altar-ring (stalla-hringr,)
which had been dipped beforehand in the blood of
a sacrificed ox. This Altar-ring was to be of silver,
or of gold when convenient, with the ends unjoined
(m6tlauss), and should weigh at least two ounces
there was to be one in every chief-temple, to have
its place upon the' high- altar (stallr); whence its
;