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A SWEDISH BORROWING FROM WELSH MEDIEVAL LAW? (In an article entitled 'Gotalagarnas lekareratt — en keltisk influens?', published in Rattshistoriska Studier, ii, 8-25 (Stockholm/Lund, 1957), Dr. Erik Anners, Docent in the University of Uppsala, made a comparison between certain rules of Swedish and Welsh medieval law. As the comparison may be of interest to Welsh readers who are not likely to come across the original article, Dr. Anners has collaborated with me in preparing the article which follows, in which the original is partly summarized, partly translated, and (so far as the Welsh source-material is concerned) partly revised. DJ.) ABBREVIATIONS A.L. [Aneurin Owen], Ancient Law and Institutes of Wales. London, 1841. D.C. 'Dimetian Code' in A.L. G.C. 'Gwentian Code' in A.L. GL Gutalagen, the lawbook of Gotland. LL.BLEG. Stephen J. Williams and J. Enoch Powell, Llyfr Blegywryd. Cardiff, 1942. LL.IOR. Aled Rhys Wiliam. Llyfr Iorwerth. Cardiff, 1960. N.L.W.J. Journal of the National Library of Wales. OgL Ostgotalagen. the lawbook of Ostergotland. S.L.L. Ake Holmback and Elias Wessen, Svenska Landskapslagar (modem Swedish translation with introduction and notes). Stockholm, 1933-46. V.C. 'Yenedotian Code' in A.L. VgL I Aldre Vastgotalagen, the older version of the lawbook of Vastergotland. W.M.L. A. W. Wade-Evans. Welsh Medieval Law. Oxford, 1909. ZRG Zeitschrift der Savigny-Stiftung fur Rechtsgeschichte. Two passages in the lawbooks of the medieval Swedish provinces are often cited as examples of the grim humour of the time. The first, from the older version of the lawbook of Vastergotland, can be translated thus: 'This is the law of minstrels. If a minstrel is struck, that is always without redress. If a minstrel is wounded-one who wanders with a jews' harp or travels with a fiddle or a drum-an untamed heifer shall be taken and led up to the council hill. The heifer's tail shall then be shaved of all hair, and greased. The minstrel shall then be given newly-greased shoes and shall take the heifer by the tail, and a man shall lash her with a sharp whip. If he can hold her, then he shall have the good beast and enjoy it as a dog enjoys grass. If he cannot hold her, he shall have and endure what he has had, shame and hurt. Let him never claim more right than a thrashed bondwoman.'1 The second passage is from the lawbook of Ostergotland: 'If now a minstrel is killed, let his heir be given a three-year-old heifer, and let new gloves and new shoes be bought for him, and let both be greased. Then the heifer shall be taken and led up on a hill, and her tail shall be put in the hand of the minstrel's heir. The farmer shall then give the heifer three blows with a scourge. If the heir can hold her, he may take her as his compensation; if he loses her, he loses all benefit. 1 S.L.L.v.197 (VgL I L). S.L.L.i.64 (OgL D 18: 1).