Re: Clan and Stead Populations

From: John Hughes <nysalor_at_b6aTtfdS9RGC-Y3xl8_Wr-Yvo8Cd2orpX1CqruCtMiWXfKdOA4CE2yrD-bJj1A6sx_l4>
Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2002 08:45:14 +1000

Dougie wrote:

>

> >Is there not room for small one family
> >plus all the cows in the same building
> >steads?

As Michael noted, its probably easier to do up one of the larger steads as substantially comprising smaller units: charcoal burners and hunters and crofting huts. The ritual and security requirements of steads, the extended family system and the communal organisation of Heortling work practices means IMO, that isolated nuclear family stead *as such* will be rare. But every stead will have its loners, its argumentative types and its religious or economic specialists who for one reason or another have chosen a smaller hearth.

If you like Dougie, give us a description of one such hearth and its inhabitants that we can graft into Swenstead.

Cheers

John