If my response is allowed despite being off-topic;
 
I'm not sure if Nordic fostering was very different from feudal fostering, but essentially, you are correct: fostering creates ties between lords, enabled the younglings to learn things their parents could not teach them, and prevented favouritism to a degree.  I have never heard of a woman being fostered, though I suppose it is possible; fostering was done for political reasons, and women were typically excluded from politics on any level. Usually, fostering was also an exchange, but not always. 
 
Mjollnir
----- Original Message -----
From: Arlie Stephens
To: norse_course@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, April 26, 2003 3:46 PM
Subject: Re: [norse_course] fostering in Njal's Saga

Hi,

On Sat, Apr 26, 2003 at 05:37:49PM -0000, hattonf wrote:
>
> Have just found this wonderful list. 
>
> I have a question that is hopefully not out of order.  In Njal's Saga
> and in others there is mention of the fostering out of children to be
> raised by others.  I think the kids were sent to live with close
> friends to strengthen ties between the families, but could someone
> clarify when and why this was done?

I'm afraid this is a bit off topic, and might be better on an Astaru
or early medieval history list.

--
Arlie

(Arlie Stephens                                            arlie@...)


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