Women's Roles In Anglo Saxon

Women played a vital role in Anglo Saxon community. They helped in many aspects from the household to the community. These women fit into most of history’s treatment of women. In some instances they were given more freedom than the women of the past
Women in the Anglo-Saxon society wore simple dresses. The lower class usually wore undergarments made of linen. On top of that they would wear a woolen gown. These gowns were long enough to fall upon their ankles. In the cases of upper-class women, more than one gown was worn. An inner gown was worn which fell down below the ankles and had long sleeves. On top of that, a smaller sleeveless gown was worn. They were usually bright colors. Women also wore mantles and cloaks as the outer layers of …show more content…
They had many occupations including bee-keeper, cheese-maker, cowherd, forester, goatherd, shepard and swineherd (Crawford). The grinding of corn and serving of drinks were also considered occupations for women. These were jobs of women that had not been inducted into slavery. Slave women were often assigned to complete works of fine embroidery. They also could be dairy-maids, seamstresses and weavers. Most jobs had to be under the account of the father or husband of the woman. Women could not entertain in these times because that was considered unmoral and a threat to society …show more content…
Most Old English women would join a convent and become nuns. This was difficult for some women to do because the price of admission was high. These women became lay sisters; they would clean, cook and serve meals until they had enough money to be accepted (Smith). Double monasteries were found in the seventh and eighth centuries. These institutions granted women opportunities for education and to gain positions of authority within the church. (Abernethy). Having a sense of power was one of the main reasons women joined the church. The education the women received helped the health of women. Men were not allowed to see the exposed body of a woman. It went against the Church. Because these rules were followed, there was a higher mortality rate among women (Williams). This is how the practice of midwifery came about. The women from the convent would perform these medical duties for sick and pregnant women. This job was respected throughout the community because of its