udal

British  

/ ˈjuːdəl /

noun

1. law a form of freehold possession of land existing in northern Europe before the introduction of the feudal system and still used in Orkney and Shetland

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Etymology

Origin of udal

C16: Orkney and Shetland dialect, from Old Norse othal; related to Old English ēthel, ōethel, Old High German wodal

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

udal

"Return back to thy udal, for thou shalt be king over Norway for ever."

From Heimskringla, or the Chronicle of the Kings of Norway by Snorri Sturluson

He added, that he had fled hither upon account of this disturbance, and many powerful people with him had fled from their udal properties in Raumarike.

From Heimskringla, or the Chronicle of the Kings of Norway by Snorri Sturluson

There were with him Earl Hakon, Harald Grenske, a son of King Gudrod, and many other great men who had fled from their udal estates in Norway on account of Gunhild's sons.

From Heimskringla, or the Chronicle of the Kings of Norway by Snorri Sturluson

Many other extraordinary things were done by this King Eystein against the Throndhjem people, and in consequence of this persecution and trouble, many chiefs and people fled and left their udal properties.

From Heimskringla, or the Chronicle of the Kings of Norway by Snorri Sturluson

In Orkney and Shetland land is still largely possessed as udal property, a holding derived or handed down from the time when these islands belonged to Norway.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 3 "Fenton, Edward" to "Finistere" by Various