Deep dishonour and insult believed to corrupt a man's social and magical status.
Níð denotes the gravest form of defamation in Old Norse society. Accusing a man of argr, unmanly passivity, was the classic níð and could legally be answered with lethal force.
Níð was conveyed through nídvísur, defamatory verses, and níðstǫng, poles topped with a horse head and carved with runic insults. These were believed to have genuine magical effect, compelling shame and misfortune upon the victim.
Attestations
- Grágás, Íslenska konungsbók (ca. 1250)
- The Icelandic law code regulates penalties for níð and the permissibility of violent response.