Meadhall Flashcards
(27 cards)
Thane
King’s warriors, respected, comitatus
Scop
Singing poet who entertained king and his troops while he dined
Wergild
Man-price, money paid to a slain person’s kinsmen by the killer
Wyrd
Fate
Heorot
Hrothgar’s meadhall
Byrny
Shield
Helm
Helmet
Buckler
Metal shirt
Comitatus
Bonds of loyalty and friendship that make warriors attached to their king or lord
Who was the one taken by grendel’s mother
Aushcere
What did unferth give beowulf
His sword, Hrunting, it’s useless
Who is beowulf’s father
Ecgtheow
Who fights with beowulf against the dragon
Wiglaf
Who is Hygelac?
King of geats, beowulf’s uncle, son of hrethel, dies in battle in frisia, gives beowulf hrethel’s sword
Who is hygd?
Hygelac’s wife, beowulf gives her necklace that hrothgar gives him.
Describe purpose of lords
Wealthy important, provider of food, must show power/prestige through regalia and ceremony i.e. speeches in beowulf presenting beowulf with the necklace
Lady description
Ultimate hostess, wise, gentle, loving, solicitous. Wealtheow is cupbearer represents power. Gold-adorned, girdle-hanger full of copper, imprinted with keys,
She is free, head of the household, prophetic, uncle to nephew,
Describe the household
“bread-eaters” servants given food.
Describe the pyle /thyle. Spokesperson
Unferth, satirist, verbal dueling, query about goodness of the applicant or new comer - devil’s advocate
What does verbal dueling often crticize?
Given name, unheroic, cowardice, failure to fufill promise, failure to fulfill honorable duty, trivial behavior, sexual irregularities, breach of taboos. Most is kinship, failure to vengance, incest, false dealings, or sex with kinsman’s killer. First say something good about yourself, then jab at other
Hall attendants
Food thane, person who cooked and organized food
Dish thane
Served meals, clearing food, cleaning, better servants serve more privileged guests
Cupbearer
Guests have drink, female, rank for higher serving
Chamber bro bed thane
Attended to alternate sleeping arrangement.
