Meaning of ring-giver | Babel Free

Definitions

A ruler or chieftain who distributed rings or other valuable gifts to loyal warriors, thanes, or retainers as a means of rewarding service and reinforcing bonds of allegiance and mutual obligation.

Old-English, historical

Examples

“This kind of money was probably used by the Anglo-Saxons long after their settlement in England; and the name⟳ of "ring-giver," as an epithet of princes, was preserved perhaps to the time of the Norman conquest.”

“Then they confirm'd on the two sides a fast peaceful compact; [...] that there not any man. by words or works, should break⟳ the compact, nor through guileful craft should they ever lament, though they their ring-giver’s slayer follow'd, now lordless, as it was thus needful to them.”

“The opening prologue and the closing epilogue praise⟳ Gloucester lavishly by name⟳, and he appears elsewhere in its long nine books as both lawgiver and ring-giver.”

“The kings needed their support⟳, and like⟳ the old Germanic ‘ring-givers’ were forced to secure loyalty by generous giving: in their case by lands and immunities.”

“They stretched their beloved lord in his boat, laid out by the mast, amidships, the great ring-giver.”

“Another instance is the Anglo-Saxon scop, who sat close⟳ to the ring-givers and was much appreciated for an ability to transform⟳ action into narrative.”

CEFR level