arfsal (ON) arfsala (ON) noun

A transfer of inheritance rights; an agreement by which one person, with the consent of his heirs, gave up his property in exchange for lifelong maintenance. According to Grg Arþ 127 an arfsal had to be witnessed by five neighbours and result in an official (written?) agreement (máldagi). Saga evidence suggests that these types of transfers allowed the rights seller to retain his estates until he dies, at which time they would pass on to the protector (cf. Miller 1990). Arfsal has been viewed as a type of care for the elderly (cf. Hoff 2011), but in the sagas it was also a tool to ensure protection against aggressors (cf. Miller 1990, 348, 362). In the former case arfsal bears similarity to the Norwegian branderfð (q.v.), Danish flatføring (q.v.) and other forms of lifelong maintenance, such as retiring to a monastery. In several medieval diplomas arfsal is referred to as próventa.

inheritance sale OIce Jó Kge 30
inheritance trade OIce Grg Arþ 127 Ómb 128
OIce Jó Kge 23
Expressions:

seljask arfsali [e-m] (ON)

to trade inheritance OIce Jó Kge

Refs:

CV; Fritzner; GAO s.v. Armenrecht; GrgTr II:26; Hoff 2011, 220; KLNM s.v. alderdom, branderfð, próventa; Miller 1984; Miller 1990, 249, 348, 362; ONP