friþu

friþu is a term from early Germanic languages, usually translated as peace, protection, or sanctuary. In Old English and Old Norse texts it denotes more than the mere absence of conflict; it refers to a protected status or territory guaranteed by law or the kingship, within which persons and property are safeguarded.

Etymology: friþu derives from Proto-Germanic *frithu-, a root meaning peace or protection. Its cognates in related languages include Old English frith and frithu, Old Norse friðr, and Danish/Norwegian fred, all reflecting a core sense of security, pact, and mutual obligation.

Usage and context: In early medieval societies, frith was a foundational concept of social order. The king or community offered frith—ensuring safety, order, and the right to live and trade without fear of unlawful violence. In legal texts and poetry, the term appears in discussions of peace, sanctuary, and mutual obligation; in place names and literature, it signals protective or pacific associations.

Modern usage: friþu is primarily of historical and linguistic interest. It appears in scholarly discussions of Germanic law and language and occasionally in toponymy or personal names as a remnant of the old vocabulary.