Frith

Frith is an obsolete English word meaning "peace; freedom from molestation, protection; safety, security". [Oxford English Dictionary]

Etymology

Derived from Old English "friðu, ", it is cognate to Old Norse ', Old High German ', German ', Dutch ', West Frisian ', Icelandic ', Common Scandinavian ' (all with meanings similar to "peace" or "calm") and also root-cognate to '.

In Swedish, two different words with different meanings have developed from this word, the words "fred" (state of no war) and "frid" (state of no disturbance). The English word became obsolete in the Middle English period, but survived into the 17th century in the compound "frith-silver" "feudal payment".

Culture

In terms of Anglo-Saxon and post-Anglo-Saxon culture, the term has a considerably broader scope and meaning. "Frith" has a great deal to do not only with the state of peace but also with the nature of social relationships conducive to peace. Moreover, it has strong associations with stability and security.

The word "friþgeard" meaning "asylum, sanctuary" was used for sacrosanct areas. A "friþgeard" would then be any enclosed area given over to the worship of the gods.

"Frith" is also used in the context of fealty, as an expression of the relationship between a lord and his people. "Frith" is inextricably related to the state of kinship, which is perhaps the strongest indicator of "frith". In this respect, the word can be coterminous with another significant Anglo-Saxon root-word, "sib" (from which the word 'sibling' is derived) - indeed the two are frequently interchanged. In this context, "frith" goes further than expressing blood ties, and encompasses all the concomitant benefits and duties which kinship engenders. "Frith" also has a legal significance: peace was effectively maintained in Anglo-Saxon times by the "frith"-guild, an early manifestation of summary justice.

See also

Frith (druidry)

References

External links

* [http://www.friggasweb.org/frith.html A Germanic Neopagan site on the "frith".]