Sýslumaður (Icelandic pronunciation:[ˈsistlʏˌmaːðʏr̥]; plural:sýslumenn[ˈsistlʏˌmɛnː];Old Norse:sýslumaðr[ˈsyːsloˌmɑðr],Norwegian:sysselmann,Danish:sysselmænd) is a governmental office or title used inIceland, theFaroe Islands, andNorway.
The position originated in Norway in theMiddle Ages, where it was used as a noble title, and thesýslumaður was granted afief called asýsla (plural:sýslur) in which he was responsible for collecting tolls, taxes and fines, upholding the law and military defences. He was also to hold courts of justice and name men to sit on juries. He sometimes also assigned fiefs to alensmann.[1] The system was established in the 12th century bySverre of Norway to help consolidate his power following theBattle of Fimreite.[2] As Norse influence spread, so did thesýslumaður system, reaching into Iceland and the Faroe Islands, as well asOrkney andShetland.[3]
Today, asýslumaður orsysselmann (often translated into English as 'district commissioner', 'sheriff', 'magistrate', or 'governor') handles a variety of governmental responsibilities in Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and theSvalbard archipelago in Norway.
The office ofsýslumenn was established in Iceland when the country submitted to theKing of Norway in 1262–1264 and royal authority was invested insýslumenn to oversee the island's 12sýslur. Appointed by the King of Norway, it was possible for a singlesýslumaður to oversee up to a quarter of the island through representatives stations through his assignedsýslur.[4] In 1375 a group of prominent Icelanders declared they would no longer accept non-nativesýslumenn, nor royal amendments not sanctioned by theAlþingi.[5]
Currently there are nine district commissioners that manage several types of public services in their districts, including collecting taxes outside of the capital area, handling civil marriages, inheritance, child custody and issuing various permits.[6]
As in Iceland, thesýslumaður system was brought to the Faroe Islands in the 13th century as the Norwegian king exerted greater influence over the islands. Traditionally, there were sixsýslumenn, one for eachsýsla.[7]
Today,sýslumenn are the modern district sheriffs appointed to three-year terms. In line with Danish police reform efforts, as of 1 January 2009, the number ofsýslumenn was reduced to four, overseeing three police districts.[8] Initially, theDanish National Police wanted to stop using the termsýslumaður, but it was deemed not possible as thesýslumenn are more than police, performing a range of tasks for the Faroese government, the courts, and theDanish High Commissioner.[9]
One of the tasks of thesýslumaður is to decide whether or not a pod ofpilot whales that has been spotted should be slaughtered and, if so, into which bay the boats should drive the pod. This is decided together with thegrindaformenn, who leads the pilot whale hunt.[10][11]
In Norway, the termsysselmann is used for theGovernor of Svalbard; however, after 1 July 2021, it was replaced by the gender-neutral termsysselmester as part of Norwegian efforts to ensure that governmental terms are not distinctly masculine or feminine. In English, bothsysselmann andsysselmester are translated as 'governor'.[12]
From 1931 to 1933, the termsysselmann was also used for the governor ofErik the Red's Land, Norway's claim on easternGreenland.[13]
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