Tynwald

views updated Jun 08 2018

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

Tynwald

views updated May 23 2018

Tynwald annual convention in the Isle of Man. XV. — ON. *pingwall-, stem of pingvǫllr, f. ping assembly + vǫllr field, level ground.

Althing

views updated May 11 2018

Althing

a whole assembly, specifically, the General Assembly of Iceland.