 It took place at an early date, although the popular image of marauding berserkers and of the Norse as "enemies of social progress" remains despite considerable evidence that in their latter phase the Norse-speaking populations were rather "enlightened practitioners of maritime commercial principles".Þings were open-air governmental assemblies that met in the presence of the "jarl" and the meetings were open to virtually all free men.At these sessions decisions were made, laws passed and complaints adjudicated.