| Title | Warrior Heroes or Warrior Bullies? |
|---|---|
| Contributor | Debra Lustig (author) |
| Carlee A. Bradbury (author) | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.21983/P3.0085.1.05 |
| Landing page | https://punctumbooks.com/titles/the-south-station-hoard/ |
| License | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
| Copyright | Lustig, Debra; Bradbury, Carlee A. |
| Publisher | punctum books |
| Published on | 2014-12-27 |
| Long abstract | Ritual consistency of conflict during the early Middle Ages forced young men to conform to an image of heroism based almost entirely on deeds performed in battle. In this chapter, we will broadly outline and discuss key, and often conflicting, elements of the medieval warrior hero’s identity and the visual culture it required and inspired. Our primary role model is Beowulf. This will lead to a discussion of key pieces from the Staffordshire Hoard and how they (and their mutilations) make these ideas of warriorness manifest. Ultimately, we see the warrior hero as a potential monster figure, just as a young girl can devolve into a bully in our own contemporary culture. Physical violence often defined manhood for early medieval warriors who sought to assert themselves by defeating powerful foes, elevating themselves as leaders, and acquiring resources to gain prestige. Opportunities for self-aggrandizement in battle proved powerful tools for increasing social status. But as the political atmosphere of the period changed and small, local chiefdoms consolidated into larger, regional seats of power, the nature of war changed as well, demanding new skills from warriors across the board, changing the definition of manhood. |
| Page range | pp. 55–85 |
| Print length | 31 pages |
| Language | English (Original) |