Hello everyone! Not sure where to post this and seeing how a few of you are writing about women, decided here was the place. If it is the wrong place, just let me know.

Anyway, as with males as well, after a girl was born she was brought first to the father for his approval. Upon finding her fair of form and of a temperament that was neither too mild nor too dictatorial he would bless her by touching her upon the forehead with a Thor's hammer amulet, sprinkle some water upon her head, and then, holding her high before the assembled family and friends, would announce the birth of his daughter and giver her her name. He would then produce some piece of jewelry that would be put upon the child or kept in the family bed box until such time as the father could fashion a personal chest for the child. After the presentation the child would be taken back to its mother and the rest of the assembly would be treated to a feast by the father. It was not uncommon during the feast that women in attendance would make pledges to help teach the girl those skills she would need as an adult. Male guests in attendance would often make oaths that they would defend the girl and her honor at the side of, or in proxy of, the father.

When a girl reached the age of three or four, the next youngest sibling would begin teaching her to tend the family flock of geese. This duty would remain hers until she reached the age of seven or eight, or until the next youngest sibling reached the age of three or four. In reality, the geese did not really need tending. This chore was designed to teach the girl self discipline and how to think. (I mean really! Did you ever know a flock of geese that did what you wanted them to do when you wanted them to do it?) This task would then be passed off to the next youngest child, male or female. The nexy step in the girl’s education would happen when as an a eight year she would be taken to the seter during the summer months, where she is taught everything she will need to know about dairy production. During the spring she would be taught how to sow grain and in the fall how to harvest it. During the long winter months she was taught how to sew, cook, weave, and any other skills her parents thought would be useful.

More will follow I hope.

Ha det!