M AllEI AGE. 



From the earliest time we see the chivalrous regard that 

 men had for women, and the punishment that any breach 

 of its laws involved. Young men went into warlike expeditions 

 to attain great fame, so that their acts of bravery could be 

 known or extolled, and that they might become worthy of the 

 maiden they wished to woo. The same spirit afterwards spread 

 from the North to other countries in Europe, where, however, 

 the opinion only of women of higher rank was valued. Among 

 the earlier tribes of the North all were respected. 



Marriage was not a religious contract or ceremony. It was 

 simply regarded as a civil compact, owing to the relations 

 which man and wife held towards each other in regard to 

 property. It was the means of joining families together, 

 which was called tengja saman, 1 and therefore the relation was 

 called tengdir. Consequently marriage itself was a bargain 

 and on that account was called brud-kaup (bride-buying). 



When a man had selected for himself, or by the advice of 

 his parents, a woman or maiden whom he wanted to marry, he, 

 accompanied by his father, or nearest relatives or best friends, 

 and by a retinue, according to his rank, went to get the con- 

 sent of the father, or of those who were the guardians of the 

 woman. It was the exception for the suitor himself not to o - o 

 on this journey, which was called lonordsfor (suit journey). 2 



" Njal once said to his son Helgi, ' I have thought of a 

 match for thee, kinsman, if thou wilt follow my advice.' 

 ' Certainly I will,' he said, ' for I know both that thou meanest 

 it well and knowest well how to act ; but what is it ? ' ' We 

 will ask in marriage the daughter of Asgrim Ellidagrimsson, 

 for she is the best match.' Shortly afterwards they rode out 

 across the Thjorsa (a river), until they came to Tunga. Asgrim 

 was at home, and received them well, and they stayed there 

 over night. The next day they proceeded to talk the matter 

 over. Njal opened the subject, and asked for the hand of 

 Thorhalla for his son Helgi. Asgrim received this well, and 

 said that with no men was he more desirous to bargain than 

 with them. They then talked about the matter, and at last 

 Asgrim betrothed his daughter to Helgi, and the wedding 

 feast was agreed upon " (Njala, c. 26, 27). 



1 To tie or join together. Tengdir = 

 bonds or ties of affinity; tengda-modir 

 = mother-in-law; tengda-fadir =: father- 

 in law. 



2 Powerful chief's sometimes sent am- 

 bassadors to ask for the hand of the lady 

 they wanted to wed. 



