höfþingi (OSw) høvthing (ODan) höfðingi (ON) noun

Derived from a noun meaning ‘head’, and used of any leader ranging from leaders of the realm (kununger) and various districts (hæraþshöfþingi (q.v.) and fiarþungxs höfþinganum af hæraþinu (OSw), væreldshøvthing (q.v.) (ON)), to principals in violent (gang) crimes.


chieftain OIce Jó MagBref HT 2 Mah 1
OIce Js Kdb 2
ONorw FrL Intr 5 Mhb 62
ONorw MLL Pro, Kdb 2 Mah 2
leader ODan SkL 87
OIce Jó Þjb 6
ONorw FrL Var 14
ONorw GuL Kpb, Olb
ONorw MLL Llb 32, 48
OSw ÖgL Db
OSw SdmL Till
lord ODan JyL Fort

Citation
  • ‘höfþingi’. A Lexicon of Medieval Nordic Law.

    • http://www.dhi.ac.uk/lmnl/nordicheadword/displayPage/2199
    (05/15/2025)