The preview
The preface
Thus begins the preface to Jutland Law, that King Valdemar gave, and the Danes adopted (1241):
By law, land is to be built, but would anyone settle with his own and let others enjoy the same right, then no law was needed. But no law is as good to follow as the truth, but where there is doubt as to what is truth, the law must show the truth. (...)
The law must take into account the honor and justice, it must be tolerable, according to the custom of the country, appropriate and useful and clear, so that everyone can know and understand what the law says. The law is not to be made or written for the special benefit of any man, but to the best interests of the people living in the country. Neither shall any man judge against the law which the king gives, and the land adopt; but according to that law the land must be judged and governed. The law which the king gives and the land adopts, he can neither change or repeal without the will of the land, unless it is clearly contrary to the words of God.
It is the duty of the king and the country's chiefs to monitor judgments and to do justice and to save those who are being wronged, such as widows and defenseless children, pilgrims and foreigners and the poor --- those are mostly wronged, and not to allow evil people, who do not want to improve themselves, to live in his land; (...)