The Heortling
> difference is that you are not a descendant of two clans, but always a
member
> of one clan.
Every Heortling is a descendent of *at least* two clans, though the ideology is one is considered much more important.
50% of Heortlings are members of two clans all their married lives, though again the ideology (though not always practice) stresses the importance of one.
In patrilineal clans, "all" women have their birth clan and their marriage
clan.
In matrilineal clans, "all" men have their birth clan and their marriage
clan.
All Heortling clans are exogamous, so one of your parents was born into another clan and has been accepted into your clan through marriage.
You do not forget your birth clan - they are your biological family - even when you have been completely accepted by your marriage clan. There will always be ties of sentiment, ritual, and obligation.
The distinction is basic to all forms of kinship: your relatives of blood by birth (consanguines) and your relatives by marriage (affines).
If two clans are feuding, and raiders are so stupid as to burn a stead and kill wives as well as the men (in a default patrilineal clan) then they will find themselves feuding with all the wives' clans as well. Would you as a father allow your daughter's murder to go unavenged, even if she was living elsewhere? This is one of the reasons why Heortling feuds are for the most part measured, with acts of vengeance being carefully targeted against selected individuals.
Sorry if I seem pedantic. This important distinction has at times been misunderstood in the past.
John
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