Miller, William Ian. Concluding Observations

• Author: Miller, William Ian
• Title: Concluding Observations
• Published in: Bloodtaking and Peacemaking: Feud, Law and Society in Saga Iceland
• Place, Publisher:  Chicago: University of Chicago Press
• Year: 1990
• Pages: 301-8
• E-text:
• Reference: Miller, William Ian. Bloodtaking and Peacemaking: Feud, Law, and Society in Saga Iceland. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1990.

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Annotation

In this chapter the author reflects on the medieval Icelandic society depicted in the book, pointing out the inherent ambiguities in the same society when it comes to feud, honor, and gift-exchange. This inherent ambiguity seems to be present throughout the Icelandic Commonwealth; while taking the possible standpoints of a feminist, a libertarian and a communitarian reader, Miller portrays this society as having both repelling and appealing features. Where, on the one hand, society could be seen as relatively gender-neutral, free and non-exploitive, on the other hand, disparities and poverty could give rise to more negative sentiments. In this context Miller stresses the difficulties with measuring matters like violence and misery. He finally describes the importance of law in Icelandic society as a 'legitimating entity', whatever its limits and despite the lack of state enforcement.

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See also

• Miller, William Ian. Introduction: The Institutional Setting and the Ranks of Persons
• Miller, William Ian. Making Sense of the Sources
• Miller, William Ian. Some Aspects of the Economy
• Miller, William Ian. Householding Patterns
• Miller, William Ian. The Bonds of Kinship
• Miller, William Ian. Feud, Vengeance, and the Disputing Process
• Miller, William Ian. Law and Legal Process
• Miller, William Ian. Peacemaking and Arbitration

References

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Links

• Written by: Kyra Kleinstapel
• Icelandic/English translation: