frymisdegi

Frymisdegi is a term that appears in historical Icelandic texts, notably in the sagas. Its literal translation is often rendered as "Friday morning" or "the morning of Friday." The word is a compound of "frí" (Friday) and "misdegi," which itself is a compound of "mis" (middle) and "dagr" (day), suggesting the middle part of the day. Therefore, a more precise meaning might be "mid-Friday."

The significance of frymisdegi in the sagas is often related to specific events or legal proceedings. It could denote a particular time of day when certain actions were permissible or mandated, or when important meetings were held. For instance, legal assemblies or court sessions might be scheduled to commence at frymisdegi. This indicates that timekeeping, even within a specific day, held importance in the social and legal structures of medieval Iceland.

The precise timing of frymisdegi would have been based on the prevailing understanding of day division in that era, likely aligned with the sun's position. While modern interpretations might equate it to a specific hour, its historical context suggests a more fluid, event-driven temporal marker. Understanding frymisdegi helps scholars interpret the daily lives and temporal awareness of people in the Viking Age and early medieval period in Iceland.