Fjórdungstímanum

Fjórdungstímanum, meaning "the quarter hour" in Icelandic, refers to a historical period in Iceland's administrative history, specifically the division of the country into four districts, or fjórðungar. These districts were established in the early days of Icelandic settlement and remained a significant administrative and judicial division for centuries. The four fjórðungar were known as the Vestfjórðungur (Western Quarter), Norðfjórðungur (Northern Quarter), Austfjórðungur (Eastern Quarter), and Suðurfjórðungur (Southern Quarter).

Each fjórðungur had its own regional assembly and legal system, with laws and customs sometimes differing between them. This decentralized structure reflected the challenges of governing a geographically dispersed population. The Alþingi, Iceland's national assembly, served as a unifying body, but the fjórðungar played a crucial role in local governance and dispute resolution. Over time, as Iceland's administration evolved, the significance of the fjórðungur system gradually diminished, eventually being replaced by newer administrative divisions. However, the concept of the four quarters left a lasting imprint on Icelandic geography and identity, with many place names and historical references still reflecting this ancient division.