History Extra podcast
Medieval women: friendship, wanderlust and the medieval hustle
Oct 24, 2024
Hetta Howes, a historian and author specializing in medieval studies, sheds light on the lives of four remarkable medieval female writers: Marie de France, Julian of Norwich, Christine de Pizan, and Margery Kempe. She explores how their works reveal the everyday experiences of women, from navigating male-dominated societies to forming deep friendships. Howes discusses themes of sexual agency, resilience against societal norms, and the timeless relevance of these women's struggles, drawing powerful parallels to modern challenges.
46:00
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Quick takeaways
- The writings of medieval women like Christine de Pizan reveal the complexities of female identity and societal constraints during that era.
- Themes of friendship and the pursuit of independence highlight how women navigated their lives amid societal expectations and limitations.
Deep dives
The Four Pioneering Women of the Middle Ages
Marie de France, Julian of Norwich, Christine de Pizan, and Marjorie Kemp are highlighted as influential female writers from the Middle Ages. Marie de France, shrouded in mystery, is known for her lays—poetic tales that often intertwine themes of love and the supernatural. Julian of Norwich, who lived as an anchoress, documented her profound religious visions in her work, 'Revelations of Divine Love,' seeking to share her experiences with a wider audience. Christine de Pizan, the first woman to earn a living as a writer in Europe, is best known for her ambitious work 'The City of Ladies,' which critiques male-dominated narratives about women and champions their achievements.
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