hæfðir

Hæfðir is an Old Norse term that translates roughly to "power," "strength," or "authority." It was a concept that encompassed not only physical might but also the influence and ability to command respect and obedience. The term could be applied to individuals, particularly chieftains or kings, but also to abstract forces or concepts. Possessing hæfðir meant having the capacity to act effectively and to shape events. This could be through military prowess, political maneuvering, or even through inherited status and lineage. In a society where personal agency and the ability to protect oneself and one's kin were paramount, hæfðir was a highly valued attribute. It was not merely a passive state but an active quality that could be demonstrated and asserted. The possession of hæfðir often dictated social standing and the extent to which one's will could be imposed upon others. The concept is deeply intertwined with notions of leadership and the maintenance of order within the Norse world.