Ættestup

Ættestup is a(n) (assumed) ritual senicide/killing of the elderly or too weak people of a Viking clan.

In the first episode of "Vikingane/Norsemen", The Homecoming, several senior clan members should take part in the Ættestup, but slave Kark agrees to let them go after they decided that to jump from a high cliff and to end as a red pulp on a rock isn't exactly what they imagined. Old Man Bjørn is the only one who jumped and died.

The Ættestup was initiated by stand-in chieftain Orm but his sister-in-law Hildur is absolutely against it. She knows full well that Orm has mis-managed the village, and there is not enough food to feed everyone, which is why he organises the Ættestup.

Attendees

 * Old Man Eirik
 * Old Man Oddvar
 * Old Man Bjørn

Trivia
It is written "Ättestupa" in Swedish. There are several locations associated with those rituals. Read more about Ättestupa on Wikipedia.