Peace-Weavers and Shield-Maidens: Women in Early English Society

by Kathleen Herbert

An account of the earliest Englishwomen; the part they played in the making of England, what they did in peace and war, the impressions they left in Britain and on the continent, how they were recorded in the chronicles and how they came alive in heroic verse and riddles.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Anglo Saxon, Medieval History, Feminism, Medieval, Folklore

58 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1997

Reviews

[Mary Catelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extensive look at all the literary evidence left behind by the Anglo-Saxons. Which is to say, a slim little pamphlet sized book.

In it she hunts for what knowledge can be unearthed from our sparse records. Opening with a foreign account, told the Greek writer by Franks, of an English princess whose betrothal was broken off because her husband's father had realized he was about to die and instead married off his son to his stepmother, for the alliance. The princess raised a war force to come and capture him -- and ask why he had put her aside when she had given him no grounds. He groveled, sent away his new bride, and married her.

Then we get into the linguistic terms. Women were men, of course: wifmen rather than weremen. Wif may be derived from the word for weaving.

There's also such biographical accounts as we have of women, especially queens. The Lady of the Mercians had only one daughter, and a chronicler recounted that she had repulsed her husband afterwards, saying it did not befit a king's daughter to enjoy such pleasures at the price of such later pains. It may be too late to be real evidence, but it was regarded as imaginable in Anglo-Saxon times.

The advice that women got. Complaints about fine dressing abbesses and nuns. The injunction that a queen must be cheerful.

The records from the monasteries, particularly the German missionaries. Also the records indicate quite a bit about women's travel. The Husband's Message begs his wife to join him, because he has everything else, fit for her to share, but not her.

[Jan Pospíšil · Rating 2 out of 5]

First off - the book is surprisingly thin. I must've missed the pagecount while ordering, but it's only 50 pages in a tiny softcover booklet. I'm not saying it's not worth the price for me, but it might not be for others. (considering shipping fees, it IS a bit steep)

Tthe whole book could've done with another pass by an editor and a proofreader, but there's even a typo in the back blurb, good grief. The book itself pretty much delivers what the title promises.

It's a bit more than an essay, a bit less than a scholarly book on the subject. The writer quickly rambles through various stories, etymology and her own thoughts (sometimes a bit off in a text of this kind). I could've used a bit more structure and set up, instead of the (useful, yet distracting) side notes.

I'm not aware of other books on the rather specific topic, so I'd recommend getting it if you're interested.

[G. Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read; more a long essay than a book, really, but very interesting and informative.

[Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short but interesting read. I seem to recall that these pamphlets from Kathleen Herbert were originally university lectures which have been written up and edited into book format, which makes sense.

This one looks at the woman's role in early English society, basically asking "who was she?". Narrative examples of princesses and nuns are included here, as well as poems detailing with love affairs and loss. There's no one answer in the end, other than that women were critically important to society, and often equal to men in a way they haven't been until modern times.

Useful for those with a background in the era.

[Ceilidhchaos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent well written book on specific Anglo Saxon women with primary source information and contemporaries perspectives on them. I was very impressed with the quality of the information and the foot notes are giving me several other books that I would like to add to my to read list. I highly recommend it. I really love some of the stories of Pagan queens. Really great stuff.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great source of information but it's exceedingly brief -- only around 47 pages of information and I do regret that considering I paid over 13 dollars for it. It's my own fault for not looking at the number of pages and I made the mistake of ordering her "Lost Gods" as well. Same thing. A ton of great information but only around 40 pages and a hefty tag for it.

[Caroline Goldsworthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for research - useful, informative and well written. Probably the most I have ever seen in one place about Raedwald's wife!

[Geoff Boxell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for those interested in early English history.

[Maggie Cunninghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating read.

[Vae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very definitely a product of its time and a good reminder of how much we've learned in the last 25 years.

[Janet]

A fascinating read. A reminder that women were often equal partners in early English society, including in the church.

[Michelle Styles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short non fiction on women in Early English society. Part of the book's problem is that it is far too short. Herbert neglects many potential subjects such as Acha, Eanflead etc and concentrates primarily on Bathild, Hild and Aethelfled.
It is however a much neglected subject and it was good to read her take on it.

[Dreya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot smaller than I would have thought, however very packed with details. The Bibliography alone is a trove.

[Bianca Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but tells you the role of Women in the Germanic tribes. I really found this thought provoking and enjoyed it.

[A.H. Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but to the point. An interesting look on the few women that made an impact on the early Anglo-saxon period... Or at least some of those whose deeds have survived through the centuries.

[Alison Killilea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. But a bit too short and badly edited.

[Maria Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting but not always well-written. Read like an essay.