How did Viking assemblies called things govern local communities?

In medieval Scandinavia, the thing served as the fundamental unit of government and law for local, provincial, and, in the case of Iceland, national communities. These assemblies were gatherings of free men—typically male heads of households—who met at fixed intervals to manage the affairs of their society.12

The thing functioned as a democratic forum where participants performed several key governance roles:

• Legislative and Legal Authority: The assemblies legislated at all levels and settled legal disputes. Because the law was largely unwritten and based on custom, these meetings were often presided over by a "law speaker," an individual learned in the oral traditions of the law, or by a local chieftain.1
• Political Decision-Making: Beyond legal matters, the thing was used to elect royal nominees and carry out other necessary legislative business.12
• Social Interaction: These gatherings also provided a venue for trade and community engagement.2

While the thing allowed for participation by free men, it was often dominated by the most influential members of the community. Over time, particularly during the 13th and 14th centuries, these assemblies gradually lost their authority to more bureaucratized courts and councils.1