My suspicion is that earlier Christianity might hold the answer as I think it provided women with new power - only to then be eroded in later centuries again when the religion became more and more linked to state politics. Is be interested to know when you think this power became more diminished and what caused that to happen. Even in later centuries we see Byzantine empresses like Zoe ruling with an iron fist and influential women like Eleanor of Aquitaine, or - going back to there religious sphere - people in Germany like Hildegard of Bingen. Something happened to change that. The splits in the church and the crusades are probably very linked to it too I suspect. I’d love to know more about how many women were translating ancient classical manuscripts - one often thinks of monks doing this but maybe this is totally wrong
I think there is a significant difference between the older Christianity which flourished in Britain from the early years of the Roman occupation (Celtic Christianity), which is also where the Anglo-Saxons got it from, and then the far more patriarchal, authoritarian Roman/papal version, which was inflicted completely on the people of Britannia after 1066. The older Celtic version, at least in my humble opinion, has a lot more harmonious paganism in it, which is far more spiritual and as such more gender-balanced. I'm also of the opinion this is why Rome needed to send their subversive missionaries to deal with the 'unruly Britons'. But they didn't completely succeed, I don't think. So I do think it's really only when we get subjugation by the Normans that the really horrible patriarchy happens (it's been this way eve since, alas). Although whether that was simply a means of subjugating the whole population, rather than intentionally designed to subjugate women, is another question. It's certainly true though that these violent, militaristic men did use, or misuse that 'religion' for their own ends.
But I do believe that Christianity, in whatever form, has a lot to do with the patriarchy. Ironic, really, because the one thing the British needed after 1066 was another Boudicca. Still do, actually...
I've been buried in the sixth and seventh centuries for a while now and I agree with you that there was something different about that time. I do still think patriarchy was a thing though, but there was a little more wiggle room for some women to step outside of the standard expectations for them and exercise more agency than you think they'd be able to. I love it! SO many interesting women who had extraordinary and influential roles in society. I just wrote about Queen Balthild...I'm a huge fan of her. :)
Two excellent books in regards to this topic are:
1. Medieval Elite Women and the Exercise of Power, 1100-1400: Moving Beyond the Exceptionalist Debate (this is not the exact time frame we're discussing but still a great read, it argues we need to stop thinking powerful women were the exception to the rule, but rather, were ubiquitous through out the Middle Ages)
2. Gendering the Master Narrative (this has an essay by Jo Ann McNamara discussing "The power of women through the family in medieval Europe: 500-1100" which is a seminal contribution to the topic)
Thank you for your very interesting article. I have never heard of a lot of the medieval ladies you mentioned so it was interesting to read about them.
I think you are right. Being in a religious order at certain points in history was very beneficial to women in terms of education and wealth.
My suspicion is that earlier Christianity might hold the answer as I think it provided women with new power - only to then be eroded in later centuries again when the religion became more and more linked to state politics. Is be interested to know when you think this power became more diminished and what caused that to happen. Even in later centuries we see Byzantine empresses like Zoe ruling with an iron fist and influential women like Eleanor of Aquitaine, or - going back to there religious sphere - people in Germany like Hildegard of Bingen. Something happened to change that. The splits in the church and the crusades are probably very linked to it too I suspect. I’d love to know more about how many women were translating ancient classical manuscripts - one often thinks of monks doing this but maybe this is totally wrong
I think there is a significant difference between the older Christianity which flourished in Britain from the early years of the Roman occupation (Celtic Christianity), which is also where the Anglo-Saxons got it from, and then the far more patriarchal, authoritarian Roman/papal version, which was inflicted completely on the people of Britannia after 1066. The older Celtic version, at least in my humble opinion, has a lot more harmonious paganism in it, which is far more spiritual and as such more gender-balanced. I'm also of the opinion this is why Rome needed to send their subversive missionaries to deal with the 'unruly Britons'. But they didn't completely succeed, I don't think. So I do think it's really only when we get subjugation by the Normans that the really horrible patriarchy happens (it's been this way eve since, alas). Although whether that was simply a means of subjugating the whole population, rather than intentionally designed to subjugate women, is another question. It's certainly true though that these violent, militaristic men did use, or misuse that 'religion' for their own ends.
But I do believe that Christianity, in whatever form, has a lot to do with the patriarchy. Ironic, really, because the one thing the British needed after 1066 was another Boudicca. Still do, actually...
Yup tho Americans need a Boudicca even more now
I've been buried in the sixth and seventh centuries for a while now and I agree with you that there was something different about that time. I do still think patriarchy was a thing though, but there was a little more wiggle room for some women to step outside of the standard expectations for them and exercise more agency than you think they'd be able to. I love it! SO many interesting women who had extraordinary and influential roles in society. I just wrote about Queen Balthild...I'm a huge fan of her. :)
Two excellent books in regards to this topic are:
1. Medieval Elite Women and the Exercise of Power, 1100-1400: Moving Beyond the Exceptionalist Debate (this is not the exact time frame we're discussing but still a great read, it argues we need to stop thinking powerful women were the exception to the rule, but rather, were ubiquitous through out the Middle Ages)
2. Gendering the Master Narrative (this has an essay by Jo Ann McNamara discussing "The power of women through the family in medieval Europe: 500-1100" which is a seminal contribution to the topic)
That was a positive blip for women on the timeline of history. Very interesting piece and perfect for Women's History Month.
Fascinating stuff. You're opening a new way of looking at what is often hidden.
I feel honoured to be mentioned in such a brilliant article. Thank you! Another excellent piece.
Thank you for your very interesting article. I have never heard of a lot of the medieval ladies you mentioned so it was interesting to read about them.
I think you are right. Being in a religious order at certain points in history was very beneficial to women in terms of education and wealth.