Learnings: The Félag, or Fellowship

The Aarhus Stone 5, Denmark / 970-1020

The English word "fellowship" came from the word félag. Félag were formed for a number of reasons, including building a boat or funding a sea voyage. A married couple could also be referred to as a félag.

A félag was like a second family. Each félagi, or member of the fellowship, protected his companions and their interests. If a félagi was killed, one of his fellows would avenge him, take care of his funeral arrangements, and honour his memory by immortalizing him in a runestone. This runestone was erected by three surviving members of a félag to commemorate their partner, whom they called the most "unvillianous" of men.