Laws Concerning Celtic Women
In assessing the social status of women in Celtic culture, it is worth examining the surviving law-text of the early Irish Celts. According to the Court Services of Ireland, the native system of law, known as the Brehon Law, developed from customs which had been passed on orally from one generation to the next in Ireland (The Court Service, 1999-2013). The surviving law-texts carry a generally patriarchal tone; however, there are indications of a more balanced harmony between men and women. Accordingly, it is believed that women could and did hold whatever social rank and profession they desired according to ability and opportunity, including professions and tribal leadership (Ragan, 1999)
Laws on Marriage & Divorce
There were portions of the law dealing with marriage, divorce and particular property, where the women are equal to men. According to Julius Caesar, despite that political and public life remained largely the domain of men, wrote that women nonetheless enjoyed many legal protections (Savino H. P., 2002). The articles, Lives of Ancient Celtic Women, Women in Ancient Celtic Society, and The Brethon Law, all describe rights of women to include, choosing their own husband; women could not be forced to marry, although, women in higher social-class, may have dealt with arranged marriages between tribes. Within marriage, women were allowed to own and inherit property independently, and could peruse legal cases without the consent of their husbands. In regards to a dowry system, although, it most likely varied among Celtic tribes; each party was to bring an equal sum to the marriage, and the combined amount was left to accrue profit. In the case of the death of a partner, the surviving partner would receive his or her original share of the dowry and the profits accrued. In relation to divorce, both partners could initiate divorce. Upon which, each partner received their original contribution to the marriage and its portion of accrued profits.
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In Green’s research of women in Celtic Society, she includes comments by Julius Caesar, whom points out the freedom of Celtic women in Gaul and Britain, in relation to marriage and property: they could choose their own husband to an extent. He also records instances of arranged marriages and the customs of joint dowry-provisions in Gaul marriages (Green M. , 1996). Caesar also points out in Gaul, despite the apparent sexual liberalism; at least, husbands had powers of life and death over their wives and children (Green M. , 1996). It appears women were still subject to their husbands’ authority, by the observations of Greeks and Romans, objectivity must be weighed. It is important to note, the Iron Age Celts were a warrior culture; however, the Brethon civil laws, were believed to be in place in Ireland before the Iron Age Celts. These laws played a part in the balance of power between men and women, by affording women a right to equal justice (Ragan, 1999).
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