Althing

Althing [Icel.,=general diet], parliament of Iceland. This assembly, the oldest in Europe, was convened at Thingvellir, SW Iceland, in 930. It was dissolved in 1800, was revived as an advisory body to the Danish monarchy in 1845, and in 1874, when Iceland was granted a constitution, became again a legislative body. The Althing in 1944 voted the independence of Iceland from Denmark, a decision ratified by popular vote. The Althing is now a 63-member unicameral body, but until 1991 it comprised a lower house (two thirds of members) and an upper house (one third). Members are elected by a system of proportional representation.

Tynwald, meaning the assembly field, is an institution unique to the Isle of Man and is the successor of the Norse meeting of freemen. The Tynwald shares with the Icelandic Althing the claim to be the oldest surviving parliamentary institution.

Tynwald, meaning the assembly field, is an institution unique to the Isle of Man and is the successor of the Norse meeting of freemen. It meets on Tynwald Day, 5 July, on Tynwald Hill and is attended by the president of Tynwald, the lieutenant-governor, the bishop, the deemsters, the Legislative Council, and the House of Keys. Its main task is to ratify or approve laws and to appoint boards which serve as administrative committees. The Tynwald shares with the Icelandic Althing the claim to be the oldest surviving parliamentary institution.

J. A. Cannon