Women in the Anglo-Saxon Culter

The Anglo-Saxon Woman

In the average life of a woman today their roles are fairly different from the Anglo-Saxon era.   Women in the Anglo-Saxon era were both followers and leaders, seamstresses and cup-bearers,   and even own land.   For the most part men and women were seen as equals during this period minus the few exceptions. Those were once covered under law, but even then there were laws to protect women against wrong doings.   Especially in a house hold where female were giving a ‘morgengifu’ or morning gift once getting married.

An unmarried woman in this time period was allowed to own land, and could do her own business. But being seen as equal she would have also been liable to be sued however for any disputes that could occur. But then again she could even sue for any thing that happened against her. Another benefit that they could have was to make contracts and wills without male consent.

Once married a man and his wife would have to work together in order to run their business and lives. If the husband committed crimes and the woman didn’t know about them or didn’t aid, and had proof on the man would be punished. However she also had to be ready to take over taxes, debts and wills at any moment. The reasoning for this would be if her husband went into combat and did not return. Such is also the purpose for morgengifu which is a present to the wife in either land or money that she can use as she pleases, kind of like a fall back should the worst happen.

Once widowed or unmarried a woman was allow to choose freely who she wished to be with. This was because arranged marriages were believed to create conflict within a marriage, and since your neighbors knew your business they wanted to avoid it.   However the widow would also be given   compensation if they had children, and or he died in war not a bar fight. She was also obligated to collect any indulgences, ransom or any other money to pay off debt or for simple supports of the family until...