Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society How to Survive as a Medieval Single Woman
Jan 6, 2026
Eleanor Janega, a medievalist and author, dives into the complex world of single women in the medieval era. She reveals how societal pressures forced many into marriage, often leading to public shame for those who remained single. Janega discusses the limited opportunities for work and the stigma attached to self-sufficient women. Highlighting fascinating records, she shares the risks of being labeled as 'suspect,' while exploring unconventional living arrangements. Ultimately, she posits that despite the challenges, some single women found refuge in nunneries and communal support.
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Single Women Were Socially Policed
- Medieval singlehood was visible and policed because women were expected to marry and mother as default roles.
- Eleanor Janega argues single women didn't fit neat social categories and attracted suspicion and regulation.
Coverture Hides Women's Records
- Coverture erased many women's legal identities so historians often miss single women's lives in records.
- Janega notes inheritance and tax records reveal women could and did inherit land and run businesses.
Shame As Primary Punishment
- Public shame was a primary medieval punishment for social offences like bad brewing.
- Ducking or 'cucking' stools began as a public chair of shame before becoming more violent later.
