The Worlds Oldest Parliament

On 23rd June 0930 the Icelandic parliament (the Althing) first sat making it the oldest parliament in the world. However it has not operated continuoulsy which is why the Isle of Man, or Manx, Parliament, (the Tynwald) is the oldest parliament still existing having been founded 979.

The Althing’€™s establishment, as an outdoor assembly held on the plains of Þingvellir laid the foundation for an independent national existence in Iceland.

To begin with, the Althing was a general assembly where the country’s most powerful leaders met to decide on legislation and dispense justice.

All free men could attend the assemblies, which were usually the main social event of the year and drew large crowds of farmers and their families, parties

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