Grafgangs-maðr

Meaning of Old Norse word "grafgangs-maðr"

As defined by the Cleasby & Vigfusson Old Norse to English dictionary:

Old Norse word grafgangs-maðr can mean:grafgangs-maðr

grafgangs-maðr

m. a Norse law term; if freed slaves married against their master’s will, and became paupers, the master might put them into an open grave till one died, when the survivor was taken out. The tale of Svaði digging a grave for the poor, Fms. ii. 222, refers no doubt to this cruel law, which is described in N. G. L. i. 33, but not recorded elsewhere.

grafgangs-maðr

II. generally a proletarian, N. G. L. i. 97.

Possible runic inscription in Younger Futhark:ᚴᚱᛅᚠᚴᛅᚾᚴᛋ-ᛘᛅᚦᚱ
Younger Futhark runes were used from 8th to 12th centuries in Scandinavia and their overseas settlements