“The king (Svein of Denmark) and the jarl agreed that Thyri (Svein’s sister) should have the possessions in Vindland which Gunnhild (deceased wife of Svein, daughter of Búrisleif) had owned, and also other large possessions as dower (_tilgjöf_). Thyri wept sorely, and went, very much against her will. When they came to Vindland Búrisleif made his wedding-feast and married Thyri, but she would neither take food nor drink from the heathens for seven days” (Olaf Tryggvason’s Saga, c. 99). The dowry included movable property and lands. “The mother shall take as much property if her daughter dies childless as she has given her from home, and also the _mund_ without interest. She and her children shall get this in preference to the father. Every man who has given anything for the _heimanfylgja_ shall get it back if the wife dies childless, and also get the mund, if he has declared it at the betrothal or the wedding” (Gragas, i. 174). The givers-away of the bride were called _giptingar-men_, and were either parents, kinsmen, or guardians. After the preliminaries to the marriage had taken place, and the agreement had been announced to the witnesses, the _festar_ or betrothal followed, when the parties became _festarmadr_ or betrothed man, and _festarkona_ or betrothed woman. This was a legal tie which could not be broken with impunity. The suitor went over to the father or guardian of the woman, and the latter betrothed her to him with a “_handsal_” (hand-shaking); at the same time both parties also named their witnesses to their betrothal. Gragas gives the formula used at this ceremony, which is as follows:—