Role of Women in Anglo-Saxon Society
Roles of Women in Anglo-Saxon Society
A heroic ruler is someone of legend. He is described to be all-knowing, fearless, and powerful. He is often idolized and adored. Although this king usually receives all of the glory and praise, oftentimes he has the support of a strong queen. Although women in Anglo-Saxon society at first glance only seem to serve as “eye-candy” and to serve men, they did indeed hold much more important roles. These women served as peacekeepers, gift givers, and hostesses, all of which were vitally important to the preservation of the kingdom. Without women, the early kingdoms would not have thrived and succeeded nearly as much as they did.
Women in Beowulf were instrumental in keeping the peace between nations and tribe members. They were often married off to other tribes’ kings or princes for the purpose of building ties and friendships. “A peace-weaver was a woman who married a son or brother from another clan to keep peace between two tribes. According to Helwig, ‘It is believed that, through birth, a woman wove peace by mixing her blood with the blood of another tribe. Hence, the name peace-weaver’” (Burrell). A very strong example of this “peace weaving” custom is shown by Hildeburh. Hildeburh was a Danish princess in Beowulf who was married to the King of the Jutes. She was seen as a “gift” from the Danes or to the Jutes and helped to bring peace between the two countries. This marriage eventually resulted in an alliance between the two countries of the Danes and the Jutes (Stewart). Although by today’s standards this practice might be considered misogynistic, it was an extremely common and sometimes necessary social norm in early Anglo-Saxon times. Without it, many kingdoms and nations might not have the alliances that they have today, nor the international ties. Women also served to keep these relationships between nations strong. Their calming presence was instrumental in weaving the peace between nations.
A heroic ruler is someone of legend. He is described to be all-knowing, fearless, and powerful. He is often idolized and adored. Although this king usually receives all of the glory and praise, oftentimes he has the support of a strong queen. Although women in Anglo-Saxon society at first glance only seem to serve as “eye-candy” and to serve men, they did indeed hold much more important roles. These women served as peacekeepers, gift givers, and hostesses, all of which were vitally important to the preservation of the kingdom. Without women, the early kingdoms would not have thrived and succeeded nearly as much as they did.
Women in Beowulf were instrumental in keeping the peace between nations and tribe members. They were often married off to other tribes’ kings or princes for the purpose of building ties and friendships. “A peace-weaver was a woman who married a son or brother from another clan to keep peace between two tribes. According to Helwig, ‘It is believed that, through birth, a woman wove peace by mixing her blood with the blood of another tribe. Hence, the name peace-weaver’” (Burrell). A very strong example of this “peace weaving” custom is shown by Hildeburh. Hildeburh was a Danish princess in Beowulf who was married to the King of the Jutes. She was seen as a “gift” from the Danes or to the Jutes and helped to bring peace between the two countries. This marriage eventually resulted in an alliance between the two countries of the Danes and the Jutes (Stewart). Although by today’s standards this practice might be considered misogynistic, it was an extremely common and sometimes necessary social norm in early Anglo-Saxon times. Without it, many kingdoms and nations might not have the alliances that they have today, nor the international ties. Women also served to keep these relationships between nations strong. Their calming presence was instrumental in weaving the peace between nations.