Lögretta (1594-1798)

Background

History & Background

The Lögrétta functioned as the legislative body of the Alþingi from 1594 until 1798, when the assembly at Þingvellir was eventually discontinued under Danish rule. During this period, Iceland was governed as part of the Danish kingdom, and the Alþingi’s authority was shaped by external political influence. Despite these changes, the Lögrétta remained central to Icelandic legal processes, maintaining continuity with earlier traditions of governance established in the 10th century. After the Alþingi ceased to meet at Þingvellir, the site gradually became a historical landmark rather than an active political center. Today, it is preserved as part of Iceland’s national heritage, symbolizing the country’s early legal system and its long path toward independence.