Women's Roles in the Middle AgesInformation about women in this truly fascinating period from 500 to 1500 is in great demand and has been a challenge for historians to uncover. Bardsley has mined a wide range of primary sources, from noblewomen's writing, court rolls, chivalric literature, laws and legal documents, to archeology and artwork. This fresh survey provides readers with an excellent understanding of how women high and low fared in terms of religion, work, family, law, culture, and politics and public life. Even though medieval women were divided by social class, religion, age, marital status, place and period, they were all subject to an overarching patriarchal structure and sometimes could transcend their inferior status. Numerous examples of these exceptional women and their words are included. |
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... particular circumstances - had the right to a divorce . They also had rights , albeit limited , to control their own property . Roman society was patriarchal - each household was domi- nated by the father , who had considerable power ...
... particular saints . Some guilds and confraternities welcomed both male and female members , whereas others were sex - specific . Research in Italy and England has shown that women's confraternities or guilds were especially likely to be ...
... particular book was to be given to a local anchoress or nun- nery . Similarly , noble families sometimes donated books to nunneries at the time of a daughter's entry into the convent . Aristocratic women pre- sented one another with ...
Contents
Women and Religion | 27 |
Women and Work | 59 |
Women and the Family | 91 |
Copyright | |
5 other sections not shown