Miðalda

Miðalda is the Icelandic term for the Middle Ages, the broad European historical era dated roughly from late antiquity to the early modern period. In Icelandic scholarship the medieval period is typically treated as beginning with the settlement of Iceland in the late 9th century and continuing into the early modern era, with boundaries varying among historians.

In Europe, common medieval milestones include the Christianization of various regions, the rise of centralized monarchies and feudal structures, the growth of towns and universities, and significant cultural production such as liturgical literature, chronicles, and vernacular narratives. The era also saw the Crusades, the Black Death, and substantial changes in law, governance, and daily life, leading to later transitions into the Renaissance and early modern times.

In Iceland, the medieval period is closely tied to the settlement and the establishment of the Alþingi, the national parliament founded around 930. Icelandic medieval culture is known for its saga literature and eddic poetry, preserved in medieval manuscripts. Law and order were exercised through local assemblies and later codified systems such as Grágás. The Icelandic Commonwealth persisted until the 1260s, after which Iceland came under Norwegian and then Danish rule. The Reformation in the 16th century and related political shifts further integrated Iceland into a wider Danish realm, marking a transition toward modern governance.

Etymology-wise, miðalda combines the elements meaning “middle” and “age,” reflecting its function as a conventional term for the central period between antiquity and early modern times. The term is used broadly in Icelandic history and archaeology to frame studies of medieval society, religion, literature, and law.