fæsta (OSw) fæste (ODan) festa (OGu) festa (ON) verb

Literally, ‘fasten’. This word is used in a considerable number of different ways. On the one hand, it might have a meaning similar to biuþa in the more general sense of ‘offer’ or ‘pledge’ and similar concepts. The thing offered or promised could be fines, an oath or surety, a tenancy or loan agreement, a sale, property division or exchange as well as a contract of employment or marriage. In the context of marriage, it means specifically to pledge or offer to be married to someone. This usually involved the passing of a betrothal gift or price, the fæstnaþa fæ, or vingæf (q.v.), to the designated giftarmaþer (q.v.).

accept OSw HL Rb
accept a conviction OSw HL Rb
accept fines OSw HL Rb
agree ODan ESjL 2
ODan JyL 2, 3
ODan SkL 66, 97, 192, 227, 228, 239
ODan VSjL 39, 41
announce OSw YVgL Add
betroth ODan SkBL
ODan SkKL 6
OIce Jó Mah 30 Kge 5, 6
OIce Js Mah 36 Ert 14
OIce KRA 16
ONorw FrL KrbB 22 Kvb 1
ONorw MLL Mah 29 Ert
OSw ÄVgL Äb, Gb
OSw DL Gb
OSw HL Kkb, Äb
OSw KrL Gb Add
OSw MEL Gb
OSw MESt Gb
OSw ÖgL Gb
OSw SdmL Gb
OSw UL Kkb, Äb
OSw VmL Kkb, Äb
OSw YVgL Kkb, Äb, Gb, Add
bind OSw HL Äb
confirm OIce Grg Rsþ 230
ONorw MLL Kab 4 Þjb 5
OSw HL Jb
convict OSw HL Rb
engage to marry OSw KrL Hb
OSw MEL Hb
OSw MESt Hb
entrust OSw KrL Bb
OSw MEL Bb
espouse ONorw BorgL 15.8
fasten ONorw GuL Krb
OSw HL Kkb, Äb
fix OSw MEL DbI
formally agree ODan ESjL 3
ODan VSjL 81
give surety OIce Js Mah 20
hire OSw ÄVgL Föb
OSw YVgL Utgb
impose OSw KrL Eb
OSw MEL Eb
lease OSw ÖgL Bb
marry ODan ESjL 1
OIce KRA 16
offer OSw HL Mb
OSw UL Kkb, Mb, Jb, Rb, Add. 8
OSw VmL Rb
pay ONorw FrL KrbA 22
OSw MESt Bb
OSw UL Blb
pay a fine OSw HL Rb
pledge ODan SkBL
OGu GL A 28, 63
ONorw GuL Kvb
OSw BjR
OSw KrL Jb Rb DbI
OSw MEL Jb Rb
OSw MESt Jb Rb Eb
OSw ÖgL Kkb, Eb, Vm, Äb, Rb, Bb
OSw UL Jb, Blb, Rb
OSw VmL Jb, Rb
pledge to swear OIce Jó Llb 30
promise ODan ESjL 2, 3
ODan JyL 2, 3
ODan SkL 77
ODan VSjL 55, 65, 87
OSw DL Rb
OSw HL Rb
OSw MEL DbII
OSw ÖgL Db Rb
OSw SdmL Jb, Mb, Rb
OSw VmL Rb
prove OSw KrL Äb
OSw MEL Äb
rent ODan JyL 3
ODan SkL 238, 239
set OSw ÖgL Eb
submit to something ONorw GuL Kpb
swear OIce Jó Þjb 5
ONorw FrL KrbB 3 Mhb 8
take in pledge OGu GL A 20
take into one’s service ONorw GuL Løb
Expressions:

festa í vist (ON)

hire OIce Jó Kge 24

fæsta lagh (OSw) festa lög (ON)

place a ban OIce Jó Llb 52 ONorw MLL Llb

promise an oath OSw UL Rb VmL Kkb, Rb

fæstu aiga (OGu)

land held in pledge OGu GL A 63, Add 9

Refs:

KLNM, s.v.v. bröllop, fastar, festermål, morgongåva; Korpiola 2004; Peel 2015, 188 note 63/9−11; Schlyter 1877, s.v. fæsta; SL GL, 278 note 4 to chapter 28; SL UL, 41 notes 72−73, 78−79, notes 8−11; SL VmL, 29 notes 82−84, 57 note 11; Vogt 2010