CHAPTER IV. 



THE ARVEL, OR INHERITANCE FEAST. 



The inheritance feast Its duration Customs of the feast Eight of sitting in 

 the high seat The feast after Heidrek's death Division of property 

 Settlement of debts Support of paupers The arvel in Christian times- 

 Consent of heirs to the disposal of property Eules regulating inheritance 

 Adoption Ceremony of adoption Public announcement of adoption 

 Female degrees of inheritance Property of foreigners. 



THE erfi-dl (ale or inheritance feast) was a very important 

 ceremony at which the heir took formal possession of the 

 property of his kinsman. The seventh day after death seems 

 to have been the earliest on which the arvel, which usually 

 lasted three nights, could legally be held. If the deceased 

 was a prominent man, sometimes one or more years passed ere 

 the arvel was held, and numerous guests were then invited 

 from far and near. 



" Thorolf was laid in a mound with some property suitable 

 to his rank. Then Thorstein made a feast (arvel) and in- 

 vited the jarl and many other high-born men. They sat at 

 it for three nights as was customary. Thorsteirn sent them 

 away with good gifts " (Svarfdaela Saga). 



" If a full-grown man remains quiet for seven days, or till 

 the morning of the thirtieth day, and does not call for the 

 inheritance, then he never can get that inheritance. If he 

 remains quiet and is not entitled to take it (i.e. is not of age) 

 then he shall declare that he is inheritance-born. Another 

 may declare it on his behalf. He shall claim this inheritance 

 during the first five years after he is entitled to it. If he does 

 not he can never claim it afterwards. This is if no necessity 

 hinders. If he is not in the fylki and not in the land he 

 must claim it in the first twelve months after he gets into the 

 fylki where the inheritance is, if no necessity hinders. Neces- 

 sities shall be taken into consideration" (Gulath.. 122). 



The high- seat of the deceased stood empty until the arvel. 

 On the first evening the heir or heirs sat upon a lower seat, 



