A Scandinavian interpretations begs the question of Norman institutions. Since the Normans rapidly became part of the feudal structure of Carolingian and post-Carolingian Neustria, it would seem unlikely that such an essentially Scandinavian institution as the thing would have survived for any length of time. We should also remember that the Normans gave up their Scandinavian language within a generation or so in favour of Old French in its Northern variety. Here at least, Dudo of Saint-Quentin is perfectly credible.

Apologies for crossing the channel, but words for meeting-places seem to be of general interest.

In Normandy (and other parts of northern France) are places called Hodenc, Hodeng, Hodent, Houdain, Houdan etc. The early spellings of these typically have Hus- or Hos- (see e.g. http://fr.geneawiki.com/index.php/62457_-_Houdain ).

The standard reference works offer no certain etymology; Dauzat & Rostaing mention an -ing formation on a Germanic name Hosed, or a personal name Husding.

Lepelley (Noms de lieux de Normandie p.37) is not happy with this and suggests «haus an der düne».

Could this instead be simply Scandinavian hús-þing ‘husting’ (cf. Björkman, Scandinavian loan-words in ME p.214)? Some of the places seem to be well sited as meeting places; e.g. 62150 Houdain is on a major Roman road.

Against this, the word does not seem to be recorded independently in French. It is not mentioned in Ridel, Les Vikings et les mots: l'apport de l'ancien scandinave à la langue française, but that work deals mostly with maritime terminology.

Keith