Early Medieval writing was the almost exclusive preserve of men. That is not to say that there were no literate women:

Anna Comnena was an outstanding historian and women of wealth seem to have read as voraciously as their male counterparts; perhaps more so. It would be surprising if they did not keep written accounts for their households, and we know that some women assiduously listed their own possessions. Even those who had no access to the written word enjoyed literacies in media other than ink on vellum. In the case of the Mercian ‘Queen’ ?thelfl?d, her testament is written across the landscapes of the English Midlands. The stories in this chapter offer glimpses into the private and public worlds of women whose authentic voices have carried distinctly across the centuries. None more so than Wynfl?d, who has left us that most personal of testaments: her will.