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FRIGG'S FOLK: Yorkshire and Friday the Thirteenth
by Dr. ALEC GILL MBE

This work  was first published: GILL, Alec. October 1995 Magazine. Unlucky for Some in the Wolds Village: link between Friday the Thirteenth and Fridaythorpe. Dalesman. 45-7. This web version has been updated (2011).

The history of superstition started with the dawn of time. But only about one century ago were two distinct taboos brought together as one belief: Friday and the number 13. Prior to then, each has its own rich and colourful traditions. For example, of all the days of the week, Friday was know as the Devil's Day; and of all the numbers in infinity, No.13 was known as the unluckiest (in the West, at least). Them around 1913, a journalist married these two separate superstitions into one. During my exploration of these two separate taboos, I was not surprised to find that Yorkshire had made its own contribution to these folklore beliefs.
When Scarborough was at its height as a Victorian spa town (c.1869), a bathing-machine assistant often warned visitors not to swim on a Friday as that was when most accidents happened.
This negative attitude toward any Friday is reflected in a string of sayings which echoed around many a Yorkshire home: "Friday flit / Short sit" cautioned against moving house that day because you will not remain long in the next abode. "A Friday sail / Will always fail" is a common expression in fishing communities. At one time, many Yorkshire skippers refused to leave port that day.
"Never go a courting on a Friday / Or you'll never meet again" - because Eve tempted Adam with the apple that day. Weather lore observed "If it rains on a Friday / Then Sunday will be fine" and "A Friday moon brings foul weather".
Finally, "Friday nights dream on Saturday told / Is sure to come true be it ever so old". So if it is a nightmare, keep it to yourself; but if a good dream, tell everyone you meet.
Likewise, there are all sorts of tasks to avoid on Friday: never begin any new work, write a letter, knit, lay a keel, launch a ship, begin the harvest, cut finger-nails, start a journey, get married, or give birth. In some parts of Yorkshire, however, it was safe to do these activities on a Good Friday - except, that is, for washing clothes.
Apparently, there was a Methodist belief (in Cleveland) about what happened to Jesus while carrying the cross up to Calvary. A woman who was washing, deliberately splashed His face with a wet garment. He is said to have cursed her and "everyone who hereafter shall wash on this day". A Whitby belief goes that clothes hung out to dry on a Good Friday "will be taken down spotted with blood".

LUCKY FOR SOME
Almost universally, thirteen has a phobic dimension. Fear of this number is called tridecaphobia.
Many a house number in British streets leaps from No.11 to 15 - or it becomes 11a. Estate agents find it hard to sell a house numbered thirteen. When Barratt Homes set out a new construction site, they omit Plot No.13.
Many hotels and hospitals avoid having rooms or wards with this number. The large Hull Royal Infirmary has thirteen storeys. The wards number from One up to Twelve, but the sequence abruptly stops and the top-storey ward is No.130. In March 1992 part of the roof collapsed into the ward - on Friday the Thirteenth.
When fishermen join a different boat, some pay particular attention to the ship's number to check if it adds up to the dreaded figure (e.g. WY.175). In the event of a mishap, factors like this usually get blamed.
When Hull trawlermen passed their radar exam they got their certificates at the end of a two-week course. Presentations always fell on a Friday; but if it coincided with the thirteenth, pandemonium broke out! No skipper in thirty years had it dated correctly.
Scientists dismiss the ancient taboos. Great success with the NASA moon missions left no doubt when it came to the launch of Apollo 13 in 1970. This became their most ill-fated flight to date. Problems began on April 13th. - a Monday.

THE LAST SUPPER
Examples of the taboo are endless. But, as a researcher, my over-riding goal is to trace the historic roots of the superstitions.
A popular view is that the 'Friday the Thirteenth' taboo stems directly from the Bible. Thirteen ate at The Last Supper and so that number is unlucky; and Christ was crucified on a Friday, so that day is fatal.
I cannot go along with this New Testament theory. Whenever Christ gathered with all his disciples there were always thirteen of them and no one suggests that these earlier events were unlucky.
Equally, the crucifixion of Christ is the bedrock of Christianity. Had He not died and risen, there would be no Church today. After all, this holy day is called 'Good' Friday - not Bad or Black. Therefore, on both accounts of the day and number, this Christian aspect is illogical.
There has obviously been the 'Christianisation' of earlier Pagan sites and festivals; but I resist the same process happening to British superstitions.

GOD WARS
When we peer through the Biblical smoke-screen, especially at Pagan Yorkshire, two factors quickly emerge. Both Friday and No.13 were positive, lucky signs. And the role of woman predominated.
Friday is the only day of the week named after a woman. The other days pay homage to either Scandinavian male gods (Woden, Thor and Tiu - God of War) or heavenly bodies (Saturn, Sun and Moon).
Friday, however, is solely dedicated to the worship of the Norse Goddess Frigg. She is strongly associated with Spring, birds and cats. Ancient fishermen did not sail on a Friday because Frigg was the Goddess of the Sea. Fish were eaten on her holy day.
Frigg had a grand palace by the sea called Fensalir. German folklore has her in control of the weather. Her magic chariot was either drawn by a boar or a team of cats. She possessed knowledge of the future and was referred to as the Queen of the Gods.
It is a reasonable guess that her followers - 'Frigg's Folk' - established a farmstead during the Viking invasion of Yorkshire (around the 9th.century). With the spread of Christianity, however, all Pagan deities were suppressed. Frigg's character was blackened. She was stigmatised as a witch and Friday was labelled unlucky.
If a heathen village had worshipped a goddess, their parish church tended to be dedicated to a female. In modern-day Fridaythorpe the Anglicans worship at St.Mary's - a 12th.century Norman Church.

MOON MAGIC
When the No.13 is examined closely, a similar, and even stronger, female pattern comes to light. Paganism centres around Mother Nature, and within that context the moon is vital. There are thirteen lunar months a year. Whenever this number features in superstition it relates to moon magic.
The physical pull of the moon is powerful. It controls the daily tides of the mighty oceans, the migration of fishes, lunacy, and mood swings.
Moon superstition influences many areas: health, prosperity, farm life, romance, sleep, weather, and death. More importantly, the lunar-female link relates to the menstrual cycle and pregnancy - the moon is described as 'The Great Midwife'. Frigg was also a Moon Goddess.
So when Friday is combined with the thirteenth day of the month, we have a double bond with the female mysteries.

AWESOME
In Pagan Yorkshire, Friday was probably a lucky day and the moon-linked No.13 was sacred. Even Easter is determined by the lunar cycle. It always follows the first full moon after the 21st.March. We need to look afresh at Friday the Thirteenth and see it in a more positive light. An awesome day, not an awful one.
October this year (1995) is certainly awash with superstition - with Hallowe'en on the last day. This date is also steeped in ancient omens - but that is another conundrum of female folklore.

ALEC GILL is author of six books (and six DvDs) related to Hull's trawling history - especially SUPERSTITION: Folk Magic in Hull's Fishing Community. Hutton Press. 1994.

CAPTIONS FOR THE FIVE ILLUSTRATIONS: I plan / hope to add these images soon.

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