The Gutnic runkalender and the ancient system of calculus

This paper analyzes some problems connected with time calculus and medieval calendars, in particular those related to the Gutnic runkalender of the 14th century, preserved in codex NKA 203 8°, copied by Ole Worm in the first quarter of the 17th century. The manuscript does not seem to have received all the attention it deserves. After the 17th century edition in Fasti Danici by Ole Worm, the first and only modern edition by Lithberg and Wessén goes back to 1934 (Lithberg and Wessén 1934). The text, as the first known specimen of this genre, shows a mixture of ancient and new festivities. In fact it mirrors the successful overcoming of ecclesiastical and liturgical dates on the old system of traditional feasts and fairs. In particular, I wish to point out the connection between the old market of Uppsala, men- tioned by Adam of Bremen, and the female festivities linked to the first period of the year.