Lendmann

Lendmann (plural lendmenn; Old Norse: lendr maðr) was a title in medieval Norway. A lendmann had the highest rank attainable in the royal hird, that is, the secular aristocracy, standing beneath earls and dukes only. In the 13th century, there were between ten and twenty lendmenn at any one time. A lendmann was similar to the medieval English baron, itself corresponding to a modern count. The term lendr maðr is first mentioned in skald poetry from the reign of king Olaf Haraldsson (reigned 1015–1028) in the early 11th century. The lendmenn had military and police as well as fiscal responsibilities for their districts. King Magnus VI Lagabøte (reigned 1263–1280) abolished the title, replacing it with baron. In 1308 Haakon V of Norway (reigned 1299–1319) abolished the baronial title as well....