Each of the sea-kings’ territories was a genuine maritorium, encompassing an entire community culturally oriented towards the ocean. Crucially, they were not based upon the control of land, beyond what was needed to supply the core manors with their needs. Places like Avaldsnes were thus warrior manors—bases for the warlords of the sea, with hinterlands that kept them in food and drink, as well as the raw materials to equip and maintain the ships. The farms of the surrounding districts could provide men for emergency defence and a ready supply of crews for the ships themselves.
