jafnvaldið

Jafnvaldið, meaning "equal power" or "co-sovereignty" in Icelandic, refers to a historical and political concept that was particularly relevant during periods of Danish-Icelandic union. It primarily signifies the idea that Iceland, as a kingdom or entity, possessed the same sovereign rights and status as Denmark within the union. This concept was often invoked to assert Iceland's independence and equal standing, counteracting Danish claims of suzerainty or dominance.

The notion of jafnvaldið emerged in discussions about Iceland's relationship with the Danish crown, especially as Iceland sought greater autonomy in the 19th and 20th centuries. It was contrasted with the concept of "einveldi," or absolute monarchy, which implied a hierarchy where Denmark held ultimate authority. Advocates of jafnvaldið argued that the union was a personal union or a confederation of two equal states, rather than a subjugation of Iceland.

The struggle for recognition of jafnvaldið was a significant part of Iceland's path to full independence. While Iceland remained under Danish rule for centuries, the assertion of jafnvaldið provided a legal and ideological framework for demanding self-governance and eventually full sovereignty. The attainment of independence in 1944 was, in many ways, the ultimate realization of the principles embodied in the concept of jafnvaldið, establishing Iceland as a completely separate and equal nation.