During the Anglo-Saxon period, men played a dominant role in society. They were seen as the central leaders, kings and rulers. Men held an image of a hero, as they also represent strength and wisdom to their society. Men’s role in the Anglo-Saxon era was so prevalent that much is written about them, so much so that they overshadow their counterpart – women.
Women in this era, however, were seen as “peace weavers,” motivators, cupbearers and memory keepers. Peace Weavers were women who were married to make peace between warring tribes. This was considered as an ideal role for aristocratic women, since peace weavers had more power and influence than average Anglo-Saxon women. The important role of peace weavers was to be a caring mother, as …show more content…
This was socially centered on a strong enterprising leader and its followers, wherein the followers had personal loyalty to the leader. If the leader was killed in a battle, the follower was supposed to fight to his death.
The anglo-saxons were pagans as they worshiped many gods, namely Woden, Balder, Eostre, Frigg, Hel, Loki, Saxnot, Thunor, Tiw, Wade and Wayland . They also believed that people should be buried with their possessions as they would need them in the afterlife. Certain days of the week of the present were actually named after Early Saxon Gods, such as Tuesday from Tiwesdæg (Tiw’s day), Wednesday from Wodnesdæg (Woden’s day), Thursday from Ðunresdæg (Thor’s or Thunor’s day), and Friday from Frigedæg (Frigg’s day).
The Anglo-Saxon’s social hierarchy was headed by the Kings, who were the overall rulers. The Ealdormen, who controlled the various districts on behalf of the ruler, were next to the kings, as they had significant power that was capable of being responsible for law and order and providing justice. After the Ealdormen were the Thanes, who were the professional military in service for either the King or the Ealdormen. The commoners, known as Ceorls, and the slaves, who were called the thralls and were the bottom of the structure of society,
Women in this era, however, were seen as “peace weavers,” motivators, cupbearers and memory keepers. Peace Weavers were women who were married to make peace between warring tribes. This was considered as an ideal role for aristocratic women, since peace weavers had more power and influence than average Anglo-Saxon women. The important role of peace weavers was to be a caring mother, as …show more content…
This was socially centered on a strong enterprising leader and its followers, wherein the followers had personal loyalty to the leader. If the leader was killed in a battle, the follower was supposed to fight to his death.
The anglo-saxons were pagans as they worshiped many gods, namely Woden, Balder, Eostre, Frigg, Hel, Loki, Saxnot, Thunor, Tiw, Wade and Wayland . They also believed that people should be buried with their possessions as they would need them in the afterlife. Certain days of the week of the present were actually named after Early Saxon Gods, such as Tuesday from Tiwesdæg (Tiw’s day), Wednesday from Wodnesdæg (Woden’s day), Thursday from Ðunresdæg (Thor’s or Thunor’s day), and Friday from Frigedæg (Frigg’s day).
The Anglo-Saxon’s social hierarchy was headed by the Kings, who were the overall rulers. The Ealdormen, who controlled the various districts on behalf of the ruler, were next to the kings, as they had significant power that was capable of being responsible for law and order and providing justice. After the Ealdormen were the Thanes, who were the professional military in service for either the King or the Ealdormen. The commoners, known as Ceorls, and the slaves, who were called the thralls and were the bottom of the structure of society,