Explore the forgotten stories of medieval women, from alewives to noble ladies and nuns. Philippa Gregory sheds light on their overlooked roles and contributions. The episode challenges biases in historical narratives and discusses women's defiance against societal norms. It also delves into gender dynamics, legal constraints, women's spiritual authority, and sexuality in medieval times.
Women in medieval times took on diverse roles in managing estates and businesses, often overlooked in historical records.
Perceptions of women's sexuality in the Middle Ages were more open and assertive than modern stereotypes suggest.
Deep dives
Medieval Women's Role in Managing Estates and Businesses
Women in medieval times often played significant roles in managing estates, businesses, and landownership, even though their contributions were not always explicitly recorded in historical accounts. While men were frequently absent for military service or other duties, women took charge of day-to-day operations, acting as stewards, entrepreneurs, judges, and more. These responsibilities were often overlooked because they were seen as normal and not extraordinary.
Representation of Women in Historical Accounts
Historical accounts often focus on exceptional or notable events involving men, overshadowing the daily activities and contributions of women. Women running estates or businesses were rarely mentioned in reports, as these roles were considered usual and did not draw attention. This absence of documentation about women's routine responsibilities makes uncovering their historical impact a challenging task for historians.
Changes in Views on Women's Sexualit
The perception of women's sexuality has evolved over time, influenced by cultural norms and historical context. In medieval times, women were often portrayed as sexually assertive and desiring intimacy, challenging modern stereotypes about female sexuality. Acts such as midwives assisting women in childbirth by inducing orgasms were considered regular medical practices, reflecting a more open approach to women's sexuality and pleasure.
Religious Perceptions of Women's Role and Authority
Religious contexts have shaped perceptions of women's authority and roles throughout history. In the medieval period, women's ability to intercede with God during the Black Death crisis highlighted a significant shift in recognizing women's spiritual influence. However, Protestantism later reinforced gendered hierarchies, restricting women's official positions within the church. These religious dynamics have had lasting impacts on societal views of women's spiritual authority and participation.
When we think about women in the Middle Ages, we know about Eleanor of Aquitaine or Hildegard of Bingen, but we are a lot less likely to think about the alewives plying their trade in cities, or the noble ladies quietly running their estates, or even the nuns falling in love with each other and praising God.
In this episode of Gone Medieval, Dr. Eleanor Jannega is joined by the best-selling novelist and historian Philippa Gregory, whose new book, Normal Women: 900 Years of Making History, sets the record straight.
This episode with edited by Ella Blaxill and produced by Rob Weinberg.
**WARNING: This episode contains some explicit sexual discussion**
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