Britain
Arthur
King Arthur was born the son of Uther and Igerna, who was the wife of Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall. He was raised by Sir Ector in secret and became king on Uther's death, proving his right to ... [more]
Bede, the Venerable
Bede was sent to a monastery at the age of seven (see Oblates) and ordained a priest aged 30. He is most famous for his Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum, a history of the conversion o... [more]
Constantius I (under Roman Empire)
Ancient Roman society institutionalized the adoption of adults. It was relatively common for a wealthy Roman couple to adopt an adult man, even a slave, as heir if they did not have any son... [more]
CuChulain
Setana was the son of the god Lugh and the mortal Dechtire, wife of Sualtam. He had seven pupils in each eye and 14 fingers and toes. He was sent to be fostered by the best men in Ulster, a... [more]
Finn Mac Cumhal
Finn was the last and greatest leader of the Fianna. He was born named Demna, the son of Cumhal Mac Baiscne, who was killed by the Sons of Morna. His mother, Muirne, sent him away to the ca... [more]
Hadrian (under Roman Empire)
Ancient Roman society institutionalized the adoption of adults. It was relatively common for a wealthy Roman couple to adopt an adult man, even a slave, as heir if they did not have any son... [more]
Håkon I [The Good] (under Norwegian Ruling Families)
In the Middle Ages fostering was practiced between the great families of Norway, possibly as a means of cementing interfamily alliances or demonstrating reciprocal status relationships. Acc... [more]
Mabon Mab Modron
According to the ancient tale Culhwch ac Olwen, Mabon son of Modron was kidnapped when he was three days old and imprisoned in Gloucester Castle for many years. His rescue was one of the si... [more]
Magnus of Orkney (under Norwegian Ruling Families)
In the Middle Ages fostering was practiced between the great families of Norway, possibly as a means of cementing interfamily alliances or demonstrating reciprocal status relationships. Acc... [more]
Pryderi
Pryderi is one of the main characters in the Welsh national epic, The Mabinogion. He was born the son of Pwyll and Rhiannon, but he disappeared immediately after his birth, taken by a myste... [more]
William the Conqueror
William was the illegitimate son of Robert, Duke of Normandy, and Herleva, the daughter of a tanner. His father left on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1034 and died the next year while aw... [more]
