After a painting by F. Leeke.
]
Many of the names given to members of the fair sex, indicate the men’s
great respect for women, and show that they were considered as able
consorts even in battle. The names Daghilt, Sneburga, Swanhilt and
Sunnihilt remind us of the purity of the daylight, the white of the snow
and the swan, and the gold of the sunshine. And the qualities of
strength, agility and skill in everything connected with war and victory
we find in names like Hildegund, “the protectoress of the home”;
Hadewig, “the mistress of battle”; Gertrud, “the thrower of the spear”;
Gudrun, “the expert in war”; Thusinhilde or Thusnelda, “the giant
fighter”; Sieglind, “the shield of victory”; Brunhild, “she who is
strong like a bear,” and in many other names.
The many noble female personages who figure in German mythology also
testify to the high conception the Germans had of womanhood. There was
Frigg, the spouse of Odin, and the ideal personification of a German
housewife. There was Freya, the goddess of spring, beauty and love;
Gerda, the bright consort of Fro, the sun god; Sigune, the faithful; not
to forget the Valkyries, those beautiful maidens who hovered over the
field of battle, wakened the dead heroes with a kiss and carried them on
their swift cloud horses to Valhalla, where they were welcomed and
feasted by the gods and enjoyed all kinds of martial games.
The Germans saw in women also something that was sacred and prophetic.
It was this belief that lent importance to Veleda, Alruna, and other
prophetesses, who were looked up to as oracles, and played a conspicuous
part during the time of the Roman invasion.