10 MARRIAGE. 



it altogether to his daughter's decision. As Bjorn had been 

 known to her before, and they had loved each other very 

 fondly, she consented. Then the betrothal was performed at 

 once, and she was to sit betrothed for three winters. And 

 even if Bjorn, while staying in the same country (Iceland), 

 was prevented from marrying her, she was to wait for him 

 nevertheless during a fourth winter. If he should not come 

 back from Norway in three winters, Thorkel was to give her 

 in marriage if he liked. Also Bjoru was to send men to Ice- 

 land to renew the betrothal if he could not come himself. 

 Sluili contributed as part of the contract so 7nuch property 

 with Bjorn that it was as much as all the property which 

 Thorkel added to his daughter's mund " 1 (Bjorn Hitdaslakappi's 

 Saga). 



The betrothed who without valid reason did not fulfil her 

 engagement, and the giver-away who kept back the betrothed 

 woman, were outlawed. If she of her free will took another 

 man than her betrothed, both she and the giver-away were 

 outlawed. 



" If a man betroths a woman he shall have her married 

 within twelve months if no necessity hinders" (Frostath., 

 iii. 12). 



" The giver-away of a woman may keep her from her 

 betrothed man for twelve months " (Gulathing's Law, 51). 



" If she (the betrothed woman) wants to break the betrothal 

 within twelve months, and says she has been betrothed against 

 her will, lie can use his witnesses against her words and get 

 her. If he lacks witnesses then she and also her father and 

 mother, or their nearest kinsmen if they do not exist, shall 

 assure it is against her will with an oath, and pay the betrothed 

 man as much as was promised. If this takes place after the 

 wedding she loses her third" (Frostath., iii. 22). 



" If the man to whom a woman is betrothed becomes sick he 

 shall send word half a month before (the wedding) to the man 

 who has betrothed the woman that he will not come to the 

 wedding on account of his health, and the woman need not be 

 brought home to him though it was agreed, and the reasons 

 must be told. Then the wedding shall not be before the same 

 time next year, unless the man wants it before, and then word 

 must be sent half a month or more before, and he shall keep 

 the wedding at his sole cost. If he does not recover in the 



1 Cf. also Laxdwla. 



