The Icelandic Commonwealth period ran from 930 till 1262. During that time, Lögberg (e. Lawrock), was the hub of the Alþing. There, anyone could step forward and speak their mind.

Speeches were given about important matters, and news was reported of significant events. Inauguration and dissolution of the assembly took place, rulings by the Law Council were announced, the calendar was confirmed, legal actions were proclaimed and other announcements made which concerned the entire nation.

Anyone attending the assembly was entitled to present their case on important issues from the Law Rock. The events at Lögberg were later brought alive through descriptions in many of the Icelandic sagas. One example of that is the lead-up to the adoption of Christianity, well described in Njáls Saga:

"The following day both sides went to the Lögberg, and Christians as well as heathens named witnesses and denounced each others laws and regulations. Then there arose such a tumult at the Lögberg that no one could hear what anyone else said."

The central figure of the assembly was the Law Speaker, who proclaimed the laws of the Commonwealth out loud. He memorised the laws and had 3 years to recite all of them in increments, but each summer he had to go over the procedural rules.

The Law Speaker was chosen by the Lögrétta, the Legislative Assembly, for a three-year term and was the only paid employee of the Commonwealth. At the Alþing, the Law Speaker was the most powerful person in the country, but in-between, he was officially powerless, although he enjoyed the esteem of his contemporaries because of his important role.

The role of Lögberg disappeared early on in the history of the Alþing when Icelanders took allegiance to the Norwegian king in 1262 with a special covenant, Gamli sáttmáli.

Because of this, the precise location of the Lögberg has been a matter of some debate, but two locations have been pointed out as the most reasonable ones. On one hand, Lögberg could be the flat ledge at the top of the slope Hallurinn, north of the Hamraskarð pass, where the flagpole is now. On the other hand, Lögberg might have been in the Almannagjá fault itself, up against the higher rock wall.

Hopefully, archaeological research will one day reveal indications of the location of Lögberg, but most likely we will never have the means to pinpoint it beyond any doubt.