Monday, February 08, 2010

Ruby laws, my books, my treasure


"With law the country shall be built, not with outlaw be ruined", reads the Frosta-thing law from 1250. King Magnus Law-Mender, (Double click to read more), was the first king to gather all of Norway under one common law. Earlier, Norway was divided into several "Things" where laws for the regions were made and judgments passed. Even king Christian V of Denmark and Norway let Norway have her own laws, hence this law collection.


Our Constitution was written on the 17th of May 1814, as a result of Denmark "losing" Norway to Sweden after the Napoleonic wars.
91 years later, after long and persistent negotiations and a grass root awakening and love for everything genuinely Norwegian in history, music, clothing, writing and visual arts; we finally became one free nation again. One and un-dividable as the law says. Even the new king, King Haakon VII, from Denmark, would not accept the crown without being assured that this was what the people wanted. He was elected by vast majority, and we are happy to remain a monarchy till this day. Reading the old laws is to me like reading a giant history book.
I so embrace my heritage.

The Norwegian Coat of Arms (double click to read more)is engraved in the leather of the Laws of Norway.

Originated by MaryT, check hers for today

28 comments:

Ralph said...

The lion is fierce, but this lion of a unified Norway is the king, but a king of benevolence for his subjects. Your land is so much older than the US, our traditions not as well seen here. A lovely ruby!

Mrs. Mac said...

To have such treasure of politics and history in a ruby book such as yours .. amazing. I have been reading about the Norway/Denmark years and find it fascinating. A people that know not their history are apt to have it repeated! Good Ruby Tuesday post.

Kim, USA said...

Lovely red cover!

RubyTuesday:Redshade

Kitchenmaus said...

We'Ve been to many wars and changes, in the end, it is good to know that we became free.

Leora said...

Nice to read of your pride in your nation's history. Love the lion!

EG CameraGirl said...

You have a long and great history, you Norwegians!

The Cunning Runt said...

Never trust a lion with an axe.

Cool photos, though!

Dianne said...

I love the way you captured the texture of the book
beautiful!! and impressive

Chubskulit Rose said...

Very interesting.

Valentine's Boxes

Carletta said...

I was thinking from the beginning how you embraced your heritage. It is evident in many, many of your posts. I wish here in the US that we embraced ours more.
Love that last closeup shot!

EJ said...

Looks brand new!

Valentine's Cupid

Rechie said...

awesome shots..that's a pretty red book

mine's here

Terry said...

dear felisol..it must be so great to live in norway. a law abiding country.
you are right to be proud of your heritage and i am so glad that serina loves her country as much as you do!
what a beautiful rich red book you have and what a lovely coat of zrms!
god will surely bless your land!
i am ashamed to say that canada is getting more and more of not hounouring god and being so lax on behaving itself..
yes, it would be great to live in norway..... love terry

Felisol said...

Dear Terry,
What I consider my treasure is mot many an eyesore these days.
The situation has rapidly changed.
Many nowadays consider it an art to find loopholes in the laws rather than to obey them.
I am sad to say that 75% of the clientele in Norwegian prisons are of non-Norwegian origin.
We also see that the very wealthy use fortunes on lawyers and lobbyists to get laws changed to their benefit.
Still I think our heritage is worth fighting for and the values I grew up with, are precious to the average man in the street.
I fear, though, Canada is not better nor worse than my country.
Hugs from Felisol

Amrita said...

Its good to read about Norway 's history. A land of strong law abiding people.Laws and decorum keeps a people together and keeps peace in a land.

The book covers and document is beautiful Felisol. Your collection is superb.

Ivon said...

Awesome post. I always enjoy your writings. They complement your pictures perfectly. Thanks for sharing, and say hi to my long lost Norwwgian cousin.

John Cowart said...

Hi Felisol,

The rubrics in the manuscript add to the theme of Ruby Tuesday and your book covers are so rich, makes me want to hold the book just to feel the texture.

But what you say about law and history are the real treasure here.

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

Bound in red covers,
the law book still reminds me
of my heritage.

Valentine!

Crown of Beauty said...

Lovely Ruby Tuesday post, dear Felisol. So rich in history. And I always thank you for sharing from your heart.

Love
Lidj

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

Very interesting & informative , great pics !
Blessings,
~Myrna

Marice said...

that seems really interesting! cool capture :)

u may view mine here

Helena said...

Beautiful photos! I'm a historian in my other life, and I just love it when people are proud enough of their history to share it with the rest of us. :)

Trish said...

As always Felisol, I love learning of your heritage and the history of your beautiful land.
Our traditions are not as rich...America is a melting pot. Lots, of different backgrounds and Nationalities...we have restaurants of every culture...Italian, Mexican, Arabic, French, German, Polish, Hungarian...I could go on and on.
I pray, that we keep freedoms, they are trying to steal them from us. God is in control, so I trust in Him.

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

Felisol:

"I so embrace my heritage" too...Norway! It is pure joy to come here and read about my own heritage. You have done your homework, and you are a student of history, so I am a beneficiary of that. Thank you so much for sharing Norway through your eyes and books. The crest you pictured is one we had growing up, hanging on the wall in the USA, but never far from the heart of my Noorwegian mother.

I loved this... keep writing!

Blessings!

Sonja

P.S. I enjoyed your comments on the revival in Norway I recently wrote about. Frank Mangs was pentecostal, I don't think I ever knew that but it made me smile. Always, my mother had a freedom in her faith and sharing it. She wasn't pentecostal, but maybe she caught one of the genes!

Gemma Wiseman said...

Wonderful insight into Norwegian history! Love the deep rich cover of that treasured book!

maryt/theteach said...

This I think is the REDDEST Ruby Tuesday I've seen Felisol! Yea Norway! :)

Patti said...

I remember from my French that Norge is Norway!

I do like the lion and the deep red of the book.

This is an interesting Ruby Tuesday post about your country. I have a bit of Norwegian in my ancestry, on my father's side.

Jim said...

1250 was a long time ago, Felisol. Thank you for the nice history lesson. You have twice as many years to learn as we do here.
Happy (late) RT! I'm coming around.
..
Really like your snow angel below. Our Karen loved to make those, I think she still does.
..