24 



MARRIAGE. 



two wives, Elizabeth, the daughter of the King of Gardariki, 

 and Thora, the daughter of a Norwegian chief ; both enjoyed 

 the name of queen. 



The husband was obliged to protect his wife, and take as 

 much care of her honour as of his own. 



" Now is about the rights of women. Every man has claim 

 on behalf of his wife. A Hauld owns three marks if she is 

 struck ; but a widow shall have the same rett as her last hus- 

 band (had), and the one she wishes shall prosecute. But 

 if a maiden is struck, her nearest kinsman shall claim her 

 rett as if it were his own. But if she is to have it herself, the 

 right plaintiff shall summon a Thing" (Earlier Frostathino-'s 

 Law, x., c. 37). 



The following laws show how strict people were in regard to 

 kisses : 



" If a man kisses a woman (belonging to another) secretly, 

 with her will, he is liable to pay three marks, and the one who 

 would have to prosecute for seduction has to prosecute. If 

 she gets angry at it, she may prosecute herself, and the man is 

 then liable to lesser outlawry. If a man kisses a man's wife 

 secretly, he is liable to lesser outlawry whether she allows it or 

 refuses it. Nine neighbours are to be called as witnesses to 

 this at the Thing. ... If a man puts on a fold or woman 's 

 clothes to deceive a woman, he is liable to lesser outlawry " 1 

 (Gragas, i. 337). 



" If a man makes a song of love 2 on a woman, he is to be 

 outlawed. If the woman is twenty years or older, she shall 

 prosecute the case herself. But if she is younger, or will not 

 prosecute, her legal guardian has to do it " (Gragas, vol. ii., 

 p. 150). 



Women's rights appear to have been not altogether unknown 

 even in these early days ; for women who got their own liveli- 

 hood and whose kinsmen did not trouble themselves about 

 their support, were their own masters. 



" If kinsmen will not take proper care of women, and they 

 (the women) get their living themselves, then they shall rule 

 over themselves as they like " (Frostath., xi. 17). 



1 Another text states that the women 

 also are punished if they do the opposite. 



This probably means derisive songs. 



