How Icelandic Is French Law? A Few Remarks about the Discovery and Usage of Icelandic Antiquities in French Legal Historiography during the Nineteenth Century
Gilduin Davy
In Chateaubriand's Voyage en Amérique et Italie, we read: “In Gothic languages, Scandinavia was called Mannaheim, which means ‘country of men,’” and what the Latin sixth century has translated with vigor by these words: “the factory human race.”2 This extract, as an echo Jordanes's vagina nationum, demonstrates growing interest for in French intellectual life during nineteenth century, especially Iceland, described Chateaubriand Norse historical archive.” Just MacPherson's Ossian had at end preceding discovery Ari Thorgilsson or Snorri Sturluson (“the Herodote North” Chateaubriand) further opened a new field research scholars.In fact, this been up from least middle eighteenth when Montesquieu fantasized about mythicized North homeland freedom (in opposition to South) saw it not only mankind but “factory instruments that break iron forged South” (Montesquieu 1973, EL, XVIII:5; Mohnike 2016, 18; Davy 2010, 96–7). Reviving Montesquieu's approach, scholars well drew its waters many streams.Legal historians did hesitate tap into (Sturmel 2002, 90–121; Audren Halpérin 2013), testifying their own curiosity, more generally scientific lawyers Scandinavia. demonstrated academician Louis-Jean Koenigswarter wrote 1853: “The ancient customs laws have real advantages those who study antiquities European over first written barbarians.”3 historical, legal, geographical sciences Iceland is reflected also superlatives used qualify Nordic island. For Jean-Marie Pardessus, Professor Faculty Law Paris, is, all parts Northern Europe, most remarkable civilisation, literature laws” (Pardessus 1834, 45). Jean-Baptiste Bory de Saint-Vincent, geographer politician, Icelandic nation “is one intelligent world,” “no faithful traditions’ (Bory St-Vincent Lacroix 1840, 251–8). Henri Prentout, University Caen, interesting country picture Scandinavian society [the] 9th century” (Prentout 1911, 206). Pardessus's judgment singularities reads follows: I could say almost than Norway, because alliances invasions [that] came Europe quickly altered pure race Norway. . That so true wanted mores, customs, laws, always focused on Iceland.4Such affirmation scholar surprising become home myth few centuries earlier, dating back perhaps reception France Olaus Magnus's Historia om nordiska folken sixteenth (Davy 2019, 12), Rudbeck's Atlantica sive Manheim, work influenced (Wolfram 1990, 2) confusion Plato's Atlantis story Virgil's Ultima Thule, managed trace civilizations (Anttila 2014, 245). Thus, Xavier Marmier writes significant: Beyond Baltic Sea, leave our science. A wall fog hides surroundings Denmark, Sweden, Lapland, Spitzberg, Finland, Russia appear behind imprecise forms confuse themselves imagination. It here Thule; half fabulous Ancients, foggy kingdom whose cannot identify position precision, are told strange things. (Marmier 95)In since beginning early modern period, Thule seemed embody sort original sanctuary where origins peoples be found, birthplace world. Why should not, therefore, fons origo homo juridicus? Certainly, were unanimous assimilating Iceland. But such assimilation often made them, contributed mythical approach quest Europe's nations there.At John Pinkerton reminded everyone famous talented based “imaginary hypothesis” Scythian migration outwards. minds, he says, language, mythology, morals Scythes preserved “Icelandic desert” intact, advance through “a very curious object study” (Pinkerton 1804, 247). years later, 1822, Fabre d'Olivet believed located source Mexican legislators Atlantis, Borean race, “whose peregrinations led America” (Fabre 188). The belief repeated jurist Ernest Glasson same (1889, 12). Here, find ourselves threshold larger Indo-European perspective, amply exploited Malte-Brun, example, envisaged “one great family banks Ganges River shores Iceland” (Malte-Brun 1828, 400), Frédéric Eichhoff (1853, 11–2) Adolphe Pictet (1859, 3).Furthermore, days Montesquieu, there no doubting been, long ago, freedom. idea became widespread century. Nys (the Belgian promoter international law), Far liberty's servant defensor fought independence men versus despotism” (Nys 1896, 125). embodies topos memory migrations, Norsemen being forced flee tyranny Harald Fairhair (Haraldr inn hárfagri) ninth Land freedom, founded anti-monarchical legacy, land equality, being, Prentout pointed out, dominant trait old (1911, 206).Following footsteps Paul-Henri Mallet, Athens Ice,” several presented “paragon democracy.” “Common misfortune brought them together,” Georges Depping, “all equal, impose domination others.” And, after enumerating powers assemblies “lavmand” (i.e., lawman, lögmaðr/lögsögumaðr, presided Althing), added: Here simple democratic government small Free State, separated boreal seas, seated between rocks, volcanoes, ices Iceland.5Various step transformed antecedent Parliamentary system. Charles Hertz medieval republic (1879, 336); Gabriel Gravier origin Parliaments (1887, 171); Joseph-Louis Ortolan attributed word “Republic” (1831, 373); depicted “mother England grand-mother United-States” (1896, 100).All legal reflections attest evidence relationship woven fantasy scholarly world until following There therefore questions asked stance period toward meant. On hand, allowed renew indigenous culture locating unknown (or hitherto ignored) sources national law elsewhere Roman law-codes they termed “barbarian.” other retain notion civil law-code whilst avoiding risk ever perilous “Germanism.” When comes meaning, use gave liberal disposition (almost 1830s 1840s) base political opinions flourish.It even birth “Norse school” universities, “school history wing.” school focused, discovering rediscovering) (see section below) and, modeling way discover distant II below).At Noël la Morinière, interested Normandy, admitted contemporary ignorance texts: “They familiar people,” said. “These documents seem us like Boreal forests know sea littoral milieu dare penetrate” (Morinière 1799, 28). And Domenico Alberto Azuni, Sardinian summoned Paris Napoleon Bonaparte, published his treaty maritime 1810, ignore Norwegian, Swedish, Danish course, laws. Pardessus monumental Collection des lois maritimes Themis review 1823, disregarded subject before fifteenth 1839, Édouard Laboulaye, member Académie inscriptions belles lettres Collège France, wondered out loud: ‘Who knows name Gragàs [sic], Icelanders?’ (Laboulaye 49). So need how took shape.The corpus texts known less writings pioneers studies seventeenth (Isaac La Peyrère Martinière) authors Des Roches Parthenay Mallet. former, presentation Edda sagas, Eiríkr saga rauða (Saga Erik Red), Histoire du Dannemarc (1730), showed intellectuals begin acquainted wealth (Des 1730, lii–lviii). Mallet rooted within domain learning. analyzed Edda, sagas Grágás, joined together three elements poetic, narrative, triptych patrimony (1755). Swiss scholar, tabernacle immemorial 2022). Eichhoff, linguist philologist, translating Völuspá (sometimes “mythological code Scandinavians” [Cordier Launay Valéri 1806, 168]), How recognize [this patrimony] vigorous Scandinavia's beliefs, Germania, across barbarian Middle Ages; latter fade obscurity Gospel light, cast late spine-chilling gleam frozen rocks Iceland?6Mallet both follow path Giambattista Vico hope poetry myths will help unravel mystery cultures (Gianturco 1977, 93–4). philological development fables legends becomes “literal mime history,” mythological “its articulated discourse” (Schefer 172). reading offered challenge exegetic gradually band Lerminier, Klimrath, Laferrière (Audren 2001, 4). At influence Vico's New Science two lines thought.On how, via members Coppet group draw inspiration liberalism. Germaine Staël, take example someone destiny remained important (Gaudemet 1998, 109), “naturally metaphysic” “soul,” “genius,” “spirit.” These lessons she derived discovered her (Berthier With Sismondi 1807, religion, liberty paramount, “not peoples, Europeans too” (Sismondi 17). would notable consequences works some jurists Klimrath 2006, 123). Ginoulhiac, Toulouse, affirmed nothing “because German Frankish Gauls kept, songs, events founders, hardly preserve route legislation adopted” (Ginoulhiac 1884, 151). words, lawmen key oldest laws.On Eddic understanding symbolism. Dareste, historian jurist, thought formulas conducive spirit (Dareste Chavanne 1881, 5). stood, according “collection universal symbols” (Klimrath 1843, 149). Portal looked light. view, “legends society's ages” (Portal 1874, 202). studied (on “quasi-monopoly”) folktales contained mythology access juridical prehistory (Koenigswarter 1842, 67). doubt alluring hypothesis, presupposition sagas’ potential illustrates aim Romanticism, comprehend cosmogony, things emergence myths, epics (Lund 1974, 108). 1867, Paul Gide (Professor André’s father) status women Germanic world, declaring “literally” law, referring Brennu Njál's (Gide 1885, 205), said author folktale outlined institutions Nation” (1834, 45–54). decades Rodolphe Dareste attempt translation (based English translations), considered society” ii). More generally, Guillaume Jollivet thesis dowry 1879, although down later on, still provide precious information primitive accurately reflect 258). nineteenth-century clearly heed various injunctions nature worked: insisted difficulties distinguishing truth falsehood predilection marvelous (1755, 106), Pinkerton, felt fact full mistruths (1804, 384). contrary, simply establish connections law-codes—Pardessus, Koenigswarter, Du Boys, few.The standard edition established Johan Schlegel 1829 (that Viljámur Finsens [1852] seems large part century), began circles second quarter engaged correspondence publisher work, serious misunderstanding result unless Grágás “under eyes” kind custumal collection 1889, 343), compilation court decisions comparable Olim 278), however, codes text officially enacted 1831, 194, 201).Despite nuances, regarded draft law,” put (1850, barrister Léonce Delaporte, defended reproduced faithfully (1881, 154). Gide, law's monument (1885, 229). Jacques Flach (Laboulaye's successor France), dates twelfth reveals much older (Flach 1870, 46). habitual regard substrate native sociologist Lévy-Bruhl see third twentieth (Lévy-Bruhl 1929, 457n3). Moreover, composition Grágás's manuscripts problematic confidence given narrative referred tenth (as Geffroy said), it) “if judge seniority institution date official writing, then claim birthright,” recent terms promulgation sometimes earliest origins.”7In satisfaction ignored created heedless enthusiasm debt obliged recognize. That, least, affirmed: people deserve respect gratitude. Their cherished sentiment, love liberty. endowed institutions, render service thanks indeed, possess groups, [i.e., Norwegian People], literary monuments order. come rich hopes genius.8That sentiment duly noted, mind historiographical re-interpretation past undertaken.In wrote: Tacitus described, somewhat modified doubt. Everywhere else, contrast, under impact natural normal development, fundamentally falsified alien influences.9From postulate arises question: What laws?In place, adopted philosophy ninth-century Vikings replicating fifth common (for strictly Germanic) stem classic perception matrix nations, calls (1842, 66). Scanzia, wrote, chroniclers show departure hordes impart tribes southward movement” ethnogenetic connected waves invaders, Antiquity Carolingian epoch—and Lucien Musset attitude We encounter chronological certain jurists, Laferrière, decide endorse (Durelle-Marc 2015, 174). centuries, civilisation Germans decided join invasion,” Lavisse, “renowned teacher” Third Republic (1893, 730; Nora 1984, 247–91).In elaborated Tacitus's Germania revealed them. Jollivet, “reveals strongest analogy documented Tacitus” (Jollivet 277). 1897, Valroger content repeat “old enlightens completes Caesar teach (Valroger 326).The similarities knew speculated enlightening. As previously rejected grounds now “confirmed found indisputable links usages civilized ‘barbarian’ arrived scene.”10So, basis genealogy, explored explain (Guillouard 1894–1896, 31–2). point revealing: Visigothic reformation writing ancestral law-codes, Gula-Things-Laug, eddas sagas” 216).Accordingly, taught Auguste Iceland: attentive societies emerged. codes, offer distinctive legislation, terms, Christianity; theatre stage viking boat, Odin's palace, Uppsala's temple bloody sacrifices, takes prejudices, discourses rediscover, part, habitudes genius Ages.11From 1840s read light 280; Jobbé-Duval 1880, 115). archivist Viollet, epoch “always corresponds law” 251n1). Sometimes, true, liberties etymology. Edmé Rathery suggested vassals (vassi) Lex salica “vask” (Rathery 52). His placed him shadow emphasized feudalism (Ourliac 1995, 26).For manifested itself “Germanic civilization” (Zernack 2011, 174–82). They argued linguistic community different branches trunk” (Joye 2007, 287). Schegel's works, integrated component barbaric 1853, 42–4) filled gap “monument legislation” science repair omission 1–3). “Icelandic, veins riches explore; complete antique primordial forms,” Boys.12This sought exact expression tudesc customs” (Espinay 1862, 30), without critics. Ludovic Beauchet, professor Nancy, debatable (Beauchet 1885b, xiiin1). Even so, nevertheless declared thirteenth “affords particular rigorous solidarity yet Christian Church, close past” 1885a, 65). Thirty “to affirm else purity” probably false. accepted throw better Church it, agree, [European scholars] greatly illuminate history, onto antiquity, thereby races” 1850, 186).For attractive impermeability influences, contrast so-called “barbarian” suffered weight ius Romanorum imposed (Esmein 1892, 40). lawyer Eugène Mouton Christianity sedentary civilization replaced nomadic heroic Empire's invaders. throughout documents, possible (Mouton 1887, 82–3). Independent that, year year, subjected legacy Rome (Minier 1854, 22). opposites 67).Even fastidious reasons look sources. Jean-Servais-Guillaume Nypels, teacher criminal Liège, (1863): history. extensive vernacular language ideas alteration.He amongst present purest form, free every element.13The reason isolation, out. According Edmond Bonnal Ganges, latitudes Icelanders owe originality (Bonnal 1875, 199). Legislation stated Cauchy, (1862, 316). thesis, 1874 Émile alone canonical influences foundations (Jobbé-Duval 85–6). pristine tradition. way, constructed abstraction accorded role reconstruction (Halpérin (1851, 64). foreign Albert Boys (1865, 21), immune meddling added Firmin (Laferrière 1858, 8). credo 1850s 1860s. “Roman forever penetrated converted” 5).The tended turn sanctuary. “among countries, merits attention. venerable literature. Danemark, marked 490). While Denmark lonely kept 42).The argument frequently character insist idiom centuries. Unlike Latin, points retained unarguable authenticity vein, general assembly colony time down; each orally President Assembly ‘Promulgator law’ [Lawspeaker, i.e., lögsögumaðr].”14 explains focusing oral tradition long-surviving memory. any event, proof conservatism (even revolutions conservative recalled [1885, 230]). process “sanctification” focus Lawspeaker 2021).Although clumsy “zangmand,” 1837 Revue britannique), illustrated central place lögsögumaðr: Geffroy, Commonwealth's chief magistrate (1864, 352); transcription lögsaga (1890, 721–7); “viva vox juris civilis” [the living voce law], 492). Finally, physical incarnation genius.” overstated. ways, history's attractiveness desire original, fantasized, social model project beliefs law. predicated lot assumptions, turned true. starting faith pan-scandinavianism proved (Urbańczyk 2009, 137–62).So universities just fantasy? inspired pioneering generation (Laferrière, Laboulaye), largely romanticism. lesser generation, confront methodological change faculties Law, face hazards geopolitical context Europe. aspiration explore justify, liberalism, 1851 19–23) ambition distinguish (those “Southern Germans,” course) neither sufficient introduce specific discipline universities. ideological bias advocates, incautiously expressed, may served limit impact. First World War, primitivism Snorri's progressively abandoned relevant research. witnessed revolution History attendant prospectus offering approaches, “Durkhemian sociology”—both perspectives understand (Mucchielli 55–98). era.Thus, note approval registered Beauchet declined go search Swedish property (Histoire propriété foncière Suède, Larose, 1904). congratulate “becoming lost idle speculation.”15
Scandinavian Studies