"A king should pay bride-price for a queen with rings and goblets.
The chief must have a warlike spirit; his fighting force must always be increasing.
The woman must thrive, loved by her people;
She must be light-hearted, absolutely discreet. ..
At the ceremonial banquets, she must at all times and places
First greet the king in the presence of the assembled retinue,
Quickly proffer the first cup to her lord's hand.
Also she must know what advice to give him,
As joint mistress and master of the household together."
-Poems of Wisdom and Learning, from Anglo-Saxon England