Old Age in Early Medieval England: A Cultural History

The first full-length study of the notion and concept of old age in early medieval England examines how Anglo-Saxons reflected on the experience of growing old and presents a more nuanced and complicated picture. It uses a wide variety of sources to explore the attitudes towards elderly men and women, including saints, warriors, and kings, and the cultural roles attributed to old women.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 18 June 2021
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

The study of old age in early medieval England has received significant attention, with this first comprehensive examination of the Anglo-Saxon cultural conceptualization of the aging process. While some have suggested that this period was a "golden age" for the elderly, the author argues that a more nuanced and complex picture emerges. The Anglo-Saxons recognized the potential for wisdom and pious living in old age, but they also anticipated various social, psychological, and physical repercussions. Their attitudes towards elderly men and women, whether they were saints, warriors, or kings, were equally ambivalent.

This multidisciplinary book draws from a wide range of sources, including visual arts, hagiography, homiletic literature, and heroic poetry. Individual chapters explore early medieval definitions of the life cycle; the merits and drawbacks of old age as depicted in Anglo-Saxon homilies and wisdom poetry; the hagiographic portrayal of elderly saints; the representation of grey-haired warriors in heroic literature; Beowulf as a mirror for elderly kings; and the cultural roles attributed to old women.

Through its comprehensive analysis, this book sheds light on the multifaceted cultural perceptions of old age in early medieval England, challenging previous notions and providing a deeper understanding of this significant period in Anglo-Saxon history.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 157 x 235 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783276349