The _Thing_ or _Fylkis Thing_ was not made up of representatives elected by the people, but was rather a primary assembly of the free udal-born peasant-proprietors of the district. There were leading men in the _fylki_, and each _fylki_ had one or more chiefs, but they had to plead at the _Thing_ like other free men. When there were several chiefs, they usually had the title of _herse_; but when the free men had agreed upon one chief, he was called _jarl_ (earl), or king. The king was the commander in war, and usually performed judicial functions; but he supported himself from his own estates, and the free peasants paid no tax. The dignity of the king was usually inherited by his son, but if the heir was not to the liking of the peasants or people, they chose another. No man, however clear his right of succession, would think of assuming the title or power of a king except by the vote of a Thing. There he was presented to the people by a free peasant, and his right must be confirmed by the Thing before he could exert any act of kingly power. The king had a number of free men in his service, who had sworn allegiance to him, and who served him in war and in peace. They were armed men, kept in pay, and were called _hird-men_ or court-men, because they were members of the king's _hird_ or court. If they were brave and faithful, they were often given high positions of trust; some were made _lendermen_ (liegemen), or managers of the king's estates. CHAPTER II _The Religion of the Northmen_ The religion of the ancient Norwegians was of the same origin as that of all the other Germanic nations, and its main features will be given in this chapter. In the beginning of time there were two worlds; in the south was Muspelheim, luminous and flaming, with Surt as a ruler. In the north was Niflheim, cold and dark, with the spring Hvergelmer, where the dragon Nidhugger dwells. Between these worlds was the yawning abyss Ginungagap. From the spring Hvergelmer ran icy streams into the Ginungagap. The hoar-frost from these streams was met by sparks from Muspelheim, and by the power of the heat the vapors were given life in the form of the Yotun or giant Ymer and the cow Audhumbla, on whose milk he lives. From Ymer descends the evil race of Yotuns or frost-giants. As the cow licked the briny hoar-frost, the large, handsome and powerful Bure came into being. His son was Bur, who married a daughter of a Yotun and became the father of _Odin_, Vile, and Ve. Odin became the father of the kind and fair _Æsir_, the gods who rule heaven and earth.