legal compilation in early modern denmark and norway classical Roman jurists or the authority of the Digest, but rather from the inherent universal rationality of the maxims. In the seventeenth century, Henric (Heinrich) Ernst, a professor at Sorø Academy, published several encyclopaedic works containing compiled materials.38 He included comparisons of Roman and Danish law, focusing on differences rather than similarities.39 However, his implicit assumption was that the differences were limited to rules which specifically addressed the social realities and the context of the Roman Empire, and therefore were not convenient when solving contemporary legal problems. Where he spotted similarities between Roman and local law, he argued that the underlying legal principles constituted the universal principles of law. Consequently, he regarded the universal principles contained inRoman law as useful when interpreting Danish law, for example in matrimonial matters.40 He wrote in Latin, and hence for a learned audience mostly outside Denmark and Norway. His work therefore had a very limited impact on the application of law in these kingdoms. For practising lawyers, Christian Ostersen Veile’s Glossarium juridicum danicum-norvegicumwas more important, as witnessed by that fact that it ran to three editions (1641, 1652, 1665).41 His definitions of legal concepts were often based on existing texts and text fragments, some taken from older Danish or Norwegian legislation, others from other European sources. His explanation of the term ‘house’ (Hus) can serve as an example. 38 Henrik Weghorst, Compendii juris naturæ dissertatio prima(Copenhagen, 1696); id., De juridiis (Copenhagen, 1693). 39 Henrik Weghorst, De differntiis juris Danici et Romani, 3 vols (Copenhagen, 1701–1704). 40 Henrik Weghorst, Comparatio juris Danici & communis in causis martimonialibus (Copenhagen, 1693). 41 Christen Østersen Veile [Weile], Glossarium Juridicum Danico-Norvegicum: Alle Danske og Norske Glosers rette forklaring (3rd edn, Copenhagen, 1665) (first pub. 1641; 2nd edn 1652). 42 Ibid. 39. By ‘Den Norske Low’, Veilje meant ChristianIV’s Norwegian Code from 1604, an amended and translated version of King Magnus the Law-menders Code of 1274. 209 Hus Domus latiné, cujus tutimssimum receptaculum habetur, det regnes for en Mands Hus hvor han boer oc gifver Aarlige Leye, effter som Jydske Low lib. 2 Cap. 32 siger: Hvilket Hus mand leyer det holdis for hans eget til leyemaal er ude. Den Norske Low formelder … Hus maa ey sættis paa annen Mands Jord Skaan. Low lib. lib. [sic] 12 cap 4.42
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