Women in Anglo-Saxon society facts for kids
Studying the lives of women in early medieval England, also known as Anglo-Saxon England, helps us understand history, literature, and how people viewed different genders back then. Important experts who have studied Anglo-Saxon women include Doris Stenton, Christine Fell, and Pauline Stafford.
The chances and power a woman had in early medieval England depended a lot on her social class. Generally, women were "almost equal partners" to the men in their lives, like husbands and brothers. This was more true than in many other times before modern history. Women could have private influence and also speak up in public matters. Some women even led religious houses, like the famous abbess Hild. Being an abbess meant having a lot of political and cultural power. However, even with this sense of equality for some, some Anglo-Saxon women were still enslaved.
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Daily Life and Jobs
Women did many different jobs around the house. These tasks often changed with the seasons because of the weather. Records show that women worked as cheese-makers, dairy-maids, and bakers. Female slaves often ground corn, served as maids, were wet-nurses (cared for babies), wove cloth, and sewed. Regular free women also likely spent time spinning thread and weaving.
In old English stories, especially the famous Beowulf poem, important women are shown serving drinks to guests and family. Women during this time also worked as entertainers, comedians, and singers. They might have been hired by families or traveled in groups.
Women and Christianity
In the early English Christian church, women could become saints. This happened most often right after Christianity became widely accepted. Christianity offered women some freedom and helped them reach powerful positions in society. Inside the church, women had a fairly equal standing. Even though some old writings (called homilies) showed ideas that were not always fair to women, this wasn't always how things worked in real life.
Women who joined a convent and promised to live simply, be pure, and obey were highly respected by the Church. Convents gave women chances for personal growth and to take on social responsibilities.
The early Christian church had special places where male and female monasteries were located together but kept separate. In these places, a female abbot (called an abbess) was in charge of the whole institution. This shows that women held important and visible roles. Abbesses were in charge of money and managing property, with help from the nuns. This level of power for women in the church changed after the Viking invasion of 789. However, women still played important roles in the church in later Anglo-Saxon England. In nunneries, women did many household tasks, including raising animals, working in gardens, making textiles, and writing.
Even with some equal chances for men and women in the Anglo-Saxon Christian Church, experts like Fell and Pasternack point out that men still held the highest positions of power. Men often decided what opportunities and status women could have. Also, churches in Anglo-Saxon England taught that being pure (like a virgin) and being faithful in monogamy (marrying only one person) were very important. Some believe this limited some women's chances to gain political power or property.
Queens and Rulers
Women could reach the very top positions of power in politics. In the 500s, Bertha of Kent was very important in helping Christianity become established in England.
The historian Bede wrote that the unnamed wife of Raedwald, a leader in the 600s, helped keep old pagan beliefs alive in the court. Raedwald might be buried in Mound 1 at Sutton Hoo. Her influence might be seen in the pagan items found in his burial. Other burials at Sutton Hoo, like the timber-lined burial chamber in Mound 14, also show that high-status women were buried there with important items.
In the 900s, Aethelflaed was the "true ruler of Mercia" even before her husband died. She also founded Gloucester Abbey.
Emma of Normandy was another powerful woman. She first married Æthelred the Unready and then Cnut. She was also the mother of two kings, Harthacnut and Edward the Confessor. She was a "major force" in the busy politics of England in the 1000s.
Laws and Rights
The written laws from Anglo-Saxon times only show part of how laws affected women's lives. So, they give us only a partial look at what really happened. Even though the church had certain teachings, women were seen as members of the state. Their rights were protected, whether they were single, widowed, or married. Women could give oaths (make promises in court) and appear as givers, receivers, or witnesses of important documents called charters.
Women were held responsible for their actions under the law. However, they were not held responsible for any crimes their husbands committed, unless they willingly helped with the crime. Besides following the law, women also received fair payment for crimes committed against them. This payment was given directly to them.
Marriage and Divorce
Many laws in Anglo-Saxon England dealt with marriage. Some laws made sure that women (whether single or widows) were not forced to marry someone they didn't like. However, other laws were different. For example, Aethelberht's law said a man could legally take another man's wife if he paid him back. A law from Æthelraed in 1008 stated that widows had to stay unmarried for 12 months after their husband's death. After that, they were free to choose.
Once married, a woman was expected to be under her husband's protection and care. She was seen as his property in some ways, but she still owned her own property. The Church believed that married women had no authority and should be under the control of men. So, according to the church, they could not teach, be witnesses, take an oath, or be a judge.
In marriage, a man often gained more influence through his wife. Even though the church saw women in a certain way, there were laws that protected married women in public life.
A man who wanted to marry a woman had to give her a valuable gift called the morgengifu, or "morning-gift." This was money or land given for the woman's hand in marriage. It was paid directly to her, and she could do whatever she wanted with it. It's clear that both the man and woman managed the money related to the marriage. These gifts were often large amounts and usually property. Sometimes, these gifts from the groom were seen as selling the bride. But actually, they were meant to protect her interests and give her security.
Wills and Property
Women had rights to own property, and many landowners were women. They could leave land to others through their wills. Leaving property by will was not just for family members. It could also be left to servants, religious figures, and churches. Documents like wills and charters show that women owned estates (large pieces of land) through gifts, wills, or inheritance. They were seen as fairly equal in the everyday life of the countryside. These documents show no special preference for daughters or sons as heirs. Women of different social classes, like Ceorl women and those of high rank, were responsible for their homes.
Some items women commonly received through trust or inheritance included real estate, slaves, farm animals, household furniture, clothing, jewels, and books. Items like tablecloths, bed sheets, and wall hangings were considered women's property because women made them.
Health and Medicine
Anglo-Saxons had advice for pregnant women. This included avoiding foods that were too salty or sweet, pork, and other fatty foods. They were also told to stay away from strong alcohol and too much drink. They were also advised to avoid traveling on horseback. If a woman stopped having her period, supposedly due to not enough nutrients, and was not pregnant, she was told to take hot baths, drink hot herbal teas, and dress warmly.
See also
- List of Wessex consorts
Images for kids
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Medieval miniature of Æthelflæd in Genealogical roll of the kings of England. British Library MS Royal 14 B VI
