Wyn’s Will

A rare insight into the Will of an Anglo-Saxon woman by Caroline Little.

Caroline’s talk will start with looking at the Wills miraculously preserved from the late Saxon period. The majority are the wishes of noblemen, only two are the wishes of noble women. We’ll take a contextual brief look at the early formation of England, ruled by monarchy descended from King Alfred the Great and the political framework which may have affected Wynflaed. We then concentrate on what Wynflaed’s recorded Will reveals about her relationships, her social position, and which personal items were important enough for her to leave to family and friends.

Wynflaed’s document provides us with a tantalising glimpse into a Saxon woman’s life in the 950s.