Lendmann
Encyclopedia
Lendmann (old norse
lendr maðr), was a title in medieval Norway. Lendmann was the highest rank attainable in the hird
of the Norwegian king, and a lendmann stood beneath only earl
s and kings. In the 13th century there were between 10 and 20 lendmenn at any one time.
The term lendr maðr is first mentioned in skald
-poetry from the reign of king Olaf Haraldsson
in the early 11th century. The lendmenn had military and police responsibilities for their districts.
King Magnus Lagabøte
abolished the title lendmann, and the lendmenn were given the title of Baron
, in 1308 Haakon V abolished the title Baron as well.
The term lendmann is sometimes confused with lensmann, which is a title used in local administration (a policeman in smaller towns) in later centuries, however the two terms are not related.
In English historical literature and translations, lendmann is often translated as landed man.
Old Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
lendr maðr), was a title in medieval Norway. Lendmann was the highest rank attainable in the hird
Hird
The hird, in Norwegian history, was originally an informal retinue of personal armed companions, hirdmen or housecarls, but came to mean not only the nucleus of the royal army, but also developed into a more formal royal court household....
of the Norwegian king, and a lendmann stood beneath only earl
Earl
An earl is a member of the nobility. The title is Anglo-Saxon, akin to the Scandinavian form jarl, and meant "chieftain", particularly a chieftain set to rule a territory in a king's stead. In Scandinavia, it became obsolete in the Middle Ages and was replaced with duke...
s and kings. In the 13th century there were between 10 and 20 lendmenn at any one time.
The term lendr maðr is first mentioned in skald
Skald
The skald was a member of a group of poets, whose courtly poetry is associated with the courts of Scandinavian and Icelandic leaders during the Viking Age, who composed and performed renditions of aspects of what we now characterise as Old Norse poetry .The most prevalent metre of skaldic poetry is...
-poetry from the reign of king Olaf Haraldsson
Olaf II of Norway
Olaf II Haraldsson was King of Norway from 1015 to 1028. He was posthumously given the title Rex Perpetuus Norvegiae and canonised in Nidaros by Bishop Grimkell, one year after his death in the Battle of Stiklestad on 29 July 1030. Enshrined in Nidaros Cathedral...
in the early 11th century. The lendmenn had military and police responsibilities for their districts.
King Magnus Lagabøte
Magnus VI of Norway
Magnus VI Lagabøte or Magnus Håkonsson , was king of Norway from 1263 until 1280.-Early life:...
abolished the title lendmann, and the lendmenn were given the title of Baron
Baron
Baron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...
, in 1308 Haakon V abolished the title Baron as well.
The term lendmann is sometimes confused with lensmann, which is a title used in local administration (a policeman in smaller towns) in later centuries, however the two terms are not related.
In English historical literature and translations, lendmann is often translated as landed man.