Fosterage is the feudal practice of a noble raising the child of (typically) another noble.
Background[]
The custom of fosterage is common among the nobility of Tamriel. It is seen as a way of establishing friendships and alliances. Additionally, fosterage is seen as a means of education. For example, children can be fostered out as squires, training for knighthood. The fostered child can be both trueborn and bastard born. Hostages may be fostered.
A child who is fostered by a lord or lady can make visits to home during the years of their fosterage, although these visits would be minimal while the child is still young, or even nonexistant if the fostered child was taken as a political hostage against their family. After reaching the age of majority, the fostered child is free to come to go as he or she likes, even if they were a political hostage. Fostering a child as a political hostage is typically done to ensure that the child's family does not rise against the fostering family, but once the child has reached the age of majority they are free to leave as they please, restricting their ability to leave would be seen as taking them prisoner and for some lords might be cause enough for war.
Differences With Adoption[]
Adoption as a practice does not exist on Nirn. The closest one can get to such a practice is taking a ward, though that does not include the adoption of a surname, nor of rights and privileges (such as being considered for succession). While at times it may seem as though the ward is part of the family, treated by their lord's children as a sibling, they are not actually made a part of the family in any legal manner.
In theory a landed noble may name anyone their heir, even a ward they grew particularly fond of over the years, though going against succession customs and laws in such a blatant manner would undoubtedly cause open war once the landed noble in question dies. As such, landed nobles doing such things is incredibly uncommon, so much so that no recorded example exists of it ever occurring.
History[]
Fostered Characters[]
| Fostered character | Fostered by | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Firen Parnon | Lady Erandel Andorin at Alinor | After her father's deposition during Aerel's Invasion and the death of her kin, Firen was the only member left of her Parnon. Due to being an infant, the Aranas spared her life and took her as a ward in Alinor. |
| Emeric I Cumberland | Count Verandis Ravenwatch at Crestshade | |
| Anattar | Lord Gaelendil Lariel at Lariel | After having his life saved by a Anattar's father, a commoner, Lord Gaelendil repaid the debt by taking Anattar as a ward to be raised at Lariel. |
Quotes[]
Every ward is also a hostage, whether knowingly or not.
—the writings of Sapiarch X