INTRODUCTION:-
The Viking Age was a period from around 800 to 1100 AD
when the
Vikings, a group of people from Scandinavia (modern-
day Norway, Sweden, and Denmark), became known for
their explorations, trading, and raiding across Europe.
They traveled by sea, reaching as far as North America, the
Middle East, and parts of Asia. The Vikings were skilled
sailors and warriors, but they were also farmers and traders.
This period ended when many Vikings settled in different
regions and converted to Christianity.
SCANDINAVIA
Scandinavia is a region in Northern Europe made up of three
countries: Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. These countries
share similar cultures, languages, and history. Scandinavia is
known for its beautiful landscapes, including mountains,
forests, and fjords. It has a cold climate, especially in the
winter. People in Scandinavia enjoy a high standard of living,
with strong education, healthcare, and social systems. The
Vikings, who were famous for exploring and trading, came
from this region.
NORSE LAW
Norse law was the legal system used by the Vikings and other
people in Scandinavia during the Viking Age.
In Norse law, a blood feud was a cycle of vengeance between
families or clans. If someone killed a member of another family,
the victim’s family had the right to take revenge by killing the
person responsible, or even someone from their family.
The goal of the blood feud was to restore honor and balance,
but it could lead to a never-ending cycle of violence.
To end a blood feud, families could agree on a settlement,
usually involving compensation (called wergild) to avoid
further bloodshed.
The "thing" meetings, where disputes were resolved,
sometimes helped mediate and bring peace between feuding
groups.
DANISH CODE
The Danish Code of 1683 (Danske Lov) was a set of laws
introduced by King Christian V to create a unified legal system
for all of Denmark.
Before 1683, different parts of Denmark had their own local laws,
which made things confusing.
The Danish Code replaced these local laws with one set of rules
for everyone, ensuring fairness and consistency.
INFLUENCE OF ROMAN LAW
Denmark was far from the Roman Empire, so Roman law didn’t
spread directly to the region.
When Christianity spread to Denmark in the Middle Ages, the
Church introduced some Roman legal concepts, especially in
family and marriage laws.
Impact of European revolutions of 1848 on Denmark’s transition
from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy
The European revolutions of 1848 played a big role in Denmark's shift
from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. Here’s a
simplified explanation of the impact:
1. Waves of Change Across Europe:
o In 1848, many European countries saw uprisings demanding
more rights, democracy, and an end to absolute rule.
o These revolutions created pressure on monarchs to adopt
reforms and share power with the people.
2. Pressure on Denmark:
o Denmark, under King Frederick VII, felt this revolutionary
wave.
o People, especially the middle class and intellectuals,
demanded a say in governance and greater freedoms.
o Citizens wanted an end to the king’s unchecked authority and
a system that respected democratic principles.
3. King's Response:
o Instead of resisting like some other rulers, King Frederick
VII voluntarily gave up absolute power.
o He introduced a constitutional monarchy, where the king's
powers were limited, and a parliament was established to
represent the people.
Ceremonial role of a monarch
The ceremonial role of a monarch means they mainly perform symbolic
duties rather than making actual laws or decisions. These duties often
include:
Representing the country: The monarch attends public events,
meets foreign leaders, and participates in national celebrations.
Performing traditional rituals: They take part in important
ceremonies like opening Parliament, granting honors, or national
festivals.
Being a unifying figure: The monarch brings people together
during important moments, offering stability and continuity.
Proportional representation
In simple words, "Parties win seats proportionally based on votes"
means that the number of seats a political party gets in the parliament is
related to the number of votes they receive in the election.
For example, if a party gets 30% of the votes, they would get about 30%
of the seats in the parliament. This way, smaller parties also have a fair
chance to get elected, not just the big ones. So, the more votes a party
gets, the more seats they win in the parliament.
