An additional wrinkle -- in at least some places and periods where this held true -- was that your maternal uncle was liable to be of higher rank.
See *The Knight, the Lady and the Priest* by Georges Duby for details. You married off one son, to ensure an heir, and all the daughters you could, for alliances. This put the fathers of bridegrooms in a strong negotiating position, and most daughters had to marry below their birth simply to find one.
Your maternal uncle was therefore also apt to be your liege lord.
That's extremely interesting, and this looks like a fantastic source — thank you for suggesting it! Maybe don't try "pull my finger" in those cases then...
In Beowulf's case he could have had a closer relationship with his uncle, Hygelac, considering that he was fostered to his maternal grandfather, Hrethel, implying a "brotherly" relationship with his uncles.
Absolutely! And I love the poetic understatement in that last bit — for those who don't know Old English, Beowulf is saying: "I wasn't any more hateful to [Hrethel] while he lived than any of his children"
This still seems a bit true -- most of the men I know are closer to their maternal family than their paternal. Certainly in my husband's family, including his mother's brother and his children. Also true among his sister's children. Same with my best male friend's uncles.
My brother is still uncle to his ex-wife's niece and her kids even though he and the ex split up 25 years ago.
An additional wrinkle -- in at least some places and periods where this held true -- was that your maternal uncle was liable to be of higher rank.
See *The Knight, the Lady and the Priest* by Georges Duby for details. You married off one son, to ensure an heir, and all the daughters you could, for alliances. This put the fathers of bridegrooms in a strong negotiating position, and most daughters had to marry below their birth simply to find one.
Your maternal uncle was therefore also apt to be your liege lord.
(Early medieval times only.)
That's extremely interesting, and this looks like a fantastic source — thank you for suggesting it! Maybe don't try "pull my finger" in those cases then...
In Beowulf's case he could have had a closer relationship with his uncle, Hygelac, considering that he was fostered to his maternal grandfather, Hrethel, implying a "brotherly" relationship with his uncles.
ic wæs syfanwintre || þá mec sinca baldor
fréawine folca || æt mínum fæder genam
héold mec ond hæfde || Hréðel cyning
geaf mé sinc ond symbel || sibbe gemunde
næs ic him tó life || láðra ówihte
eorn in burgum || þonne his bearna hwylc
Herebeald ond Hæðcyn || oððe Hygelác mín.
Beo. [2428 - 2434]
Absolutely! And I love the poetic understatement in that last bit — for those who don't know Old English, Beowulf is saying: "I wasn't any more hateful to [Hrethel] while he lived than any of his children"
This still seems a bit true -- most of the men I know are closer to their maternal family than their paternal. Certainly in my husband's family, including his mother's brother and his children. Also true among his sister's children. Same with my best male friend's uncles.
My brother is still uncle to his ex-wife's niece and her kids even though he and the ex split up 25 years ago.
So interesting. Thank you!