What it Was and What it Is :: Anglo Saxon Women Essays

What it Was and What it Is Anglo-Saxon women did not have many roles, but the few that they had were important and had an influence on their families. In the Anglo-Saxon culture women were seen and considered as less important than men because men are the stronger ones, the leaders, the fighters or warriors, the heroes!!! During this time period women were not acknowledged by society. Their role was to stay home and take care of their related responsibilities, as well as their children. Women had no major role in the decision-making because the men, being either the father or the husband, were the ones to make the decisions for the women. However, women were taken into consideration and valued when their marriages were arranged to promote the physical or economic well-being of their family and tribe. In Anglo-Saxon culture women were at times engaged in marriage to a family that would bring forth fortune and wealth. At other times, a family would marry a daughter to an enemy family in order to secure peace or safety and wealth among the joined families. In such a role, women in Anglo-Saxon culture were referred to as the â€Å"one who weaves peace,† making them known as â€Å"peace weavers.† We can see an example of this in Beowulf, when Hildeburgh, a daughter of the former Danish king, is married to Finn, who was king of the Jutes. Because the Danes and the Jutes are enemies, Hildeburgh has to witness the burial of her son and brother who are killed fighting on either side of the feud. Although women did not have much influence as men did, they had a lot of influence on the family-related issues. One example may be found in Beowulf, in the character Wealhtheow. Wealhtheow is the wife of Hrothgar. She is portrayed as aware of the politics of the court and cautious for the well-being of her family. In Beowulf, she foreshadows some events that later happen to her family. An example of such an instance would be when she foreshadows the fall of the Great Hall caused by her family. We know this when she says, â€Å"Here is each earl true to other, mild of heart, loyal to his lord; the thanes are at one, the people obedient, the retainers cheered with drink do as I bid† (Donaldson, p 22 Beowulf). Anglo-Saxon women had the responsibility of seeing over their children.