“When Börk had left his farm Helgafell Thordis went forward and named witnesses that she declared herself separated from her husband Börk, and pleaded as a reason that he had struck her, and she would not put up with his blows. Their property was divided, and Snorri (a son of her former marriage) took charge of it on behalf of his mother, for he was her heir” (Eyrbyggja, c. 14). Restrictions were put upon the extravagance of women.[42] “The wife of a _hauld_ (odal’s bondi) is allowed to buy to the extent of one eyrir, and not more. If she buys for more the bargain shall not be kept, except her husband wishes it so” (Earlier Frostathings Law, xi. 22). “If a wife gives away her husband’s property he can claim it all, and prosecute the man who received it. If a man sends his wife to the Thing to pay debts or other expenses of theirs, her hand-shaking is valid,[43] and also when she goes to a ship to make bargains with his consent, but no other transactions are valid unless he wishes them to be so. When she buys what is necessary for their household while he is at the Thing, that is also valid. The woman shall not sell half her land, a farm or more, or a _godord_ (dignity of godi), or a seagoing ship, except with the will of her guardian” (Gragas, i. 333). ----- Footnote 38: In Iceland a high degree of poverty after the marriage was a lawful reason for divorce (Gragas, 40). Footnote 39: Frostathing Law, xi., xiv. Footnote 40: According to Borgarthing Law, a wife after waiting three years for the return of her husband could marry again. Footnote 41: Cf. also Gulathing’s Law, 54. Footnote 42: There is an example of a man leaving his wife on account of extravagance in the household, and for insulting him in the presence of people (Landnama, ii. 6; Njala, 34). Footnote 43: A bargain was sealed by hand-shaking, a custom still prevalent in Norway, where, when the traveller has paid his fare on the post road from one station to another, the driver shakes hands with him. CHAPTER III. THE BIRTH AND BRINGING UP OF CHILDREN. Appearance of the Nornir at a child’s birth—Ceremony attending birth—Religious rites—Antiquity of the custom of sprinkling water over a child—The Asa form and the Christian form of baptism—Naming the child—Birth of Sigurd, Ragnar Lodbrok’s son—Helgi’s birth—Distinctive names—Belief in predestination—Possession of two names considered lucky—Presence of the household and of neighbours at childbirth—Gifts of weapons and animals—Cutting the first tooth—The _prime sign_—Exposure of children—Reasons for exposure—The custom continued after the introduction of Christianity—The bringing up of children—Attention paid to physical development—Secret adoption not allowed.