Fostering

Fosterage in medieval Iceland

Fosterage or "fostering" is frequently referred to in the medieval Sagas of Icelanders. Original family ties and rights of inheritance were not affected, nor was it required for the fostered child to be an orphan or for the biological father to be deceased. Moreover, the fostering of another man's child was regarded as a source of honor to the birth father; and conventionally the fostering party was of inferior social status to the biological father. An exception to this convention is found in Njáls saga, where Njáll Þorgeirsson, a prominent man, fosters Hoskuld, the son of Thrain Sigfusson, after the death of Thrain in battle.