Custom Of Fosterage

Source

There was another powerful tie between chiefs, chieftains, and the commonalty — the custom of fosterage. It was an ordinary habit if a chief had a large family of sons to send them to be reared in the family of one of these cadets, or tacksmen, and the same habit was commonly practised in the family of the tacksmen, sending one of its sons to be reared in the family of a respectable clansman. The family so honoured by chief or tacksman was ever after bound in mutual affection and brotherhood. Foster-brotherhood was a bond that in many cases proved stronger than the natural. Many a foster-brother sacrificed his life to save his superior. The gallant old chief of the Cameron Clan, Sir Ewen, at the battle of Killiecrankie, owed his life to his foster-brother's quick eye in observing a deadly blow aimed at his chief in the tumult and confusion of the attack. He stepped in front of him and received several mortal wounds. [Source]