Frith 144585 225118957 2008-07-11T23:40:24Z CodeCat 2019569 /* Etymology */ vreede -> vrede {{Unreferenced|date=August 2007}} {{otheruses}} '''Frith''' is an obsolete English word meaning "peace; freedom from molestation, protection; safety, security".<ref>[[Oxford English Dictionary]]</ref> == Etymology == Derived from [[Old English]] ''friðu, [[:wikt:friþ|friþ]]'', it is [[cognate]] to [[Old Norse]] ''[[:wikt:friðr|friðr]]'', [[Old High German]] ''[[:wikt:fridu|fridu]]'', [[German language|German]] ''[[:wikt:Friede|Friede]]'', [[Dutch language|Dutch]] ''[[:wikt:vrede|vrede]]'', [[West Frisian language|West Frisian]] ''[[:wikt:frede|frede]]'', [[Icelandic language|Icelandic]] ''[[:wikt:friður|friður]]'', [[Scandinavian languages|Common Scandinavian]] ''[[:wikt:fred|fred]]'' (all with meanings similar to "peace" or "calm") and also root-cognate to ''[[:wikt:friend|friend]]''. In [[Swedish language|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-Saxons|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 [[law|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 == {{reflist|2}} == External links == *[http://www.friggasweb.org/frith.html A Germanic Neopagan site on the ''frith''.] [[Category:Anglo-Saxon paganism]] [[Category:Old English language]]