Knowledge of the system of government in medieval Iceland stems mainly from two main primary sources: the written law code, and Íslendingabók, or the Book of the Icelanders by Ari the Learned.
Teadmised valitsemissüsteemist pärinesid keskaegsel Islandil peamiselt kahest põhiallikast: kirja pandud seadustekogu ning Ari Õpetatu kirja pandud Íslendingabók ehk "Islandlaste raamat".