goðorð (ON) noun

The power or authority of a goði (‘chieftain’) in Iceland during the commonwealth; the office which empowered a goði to handle legal affairs. The office was not tied to a specific geographic area, but there were a limited number of them in each of the four quarter districts (ON fjórðungr, see fiarþunger). A goðorð could be held by multiple people, though only one person could use it at a given time. It was also inheritable and could be bought, sold or traded. By the mid-thirteenth century almost all of the 48 offices were held by five powerful families. The institution of the goðorð was abolished in 1271 with the introduction of Js in Iceland.

chieftaincy OIce Grg Þsþ 20, 22 Lrþ 117 Arþ 122, 126 Feþ 152, 169 Fjl 223 Tíg 255
Expressions:

fara með goðorð (ON)

to act in a chieftaincy OIce Grg Klþ 10 Þsþ 23, 81 Lrþ 117

vera ór goðorði (ON)

to forfeit a chieftaincy OIce Grg Þsþ 36

Refs:

CV s.v.v. goði, goðorð; GAO s.v. Gode, Godentum; KLNM s.v. goði og goðorð; LexMA s.v. Gode; MSE s.v. goði