Medieval World- Powerful Women: Gender in Medieval Europe

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  • Created by: Heather
  • Created on: 23-04-17 18:44
What do we know about women in the middle ages based on divorce?
Women were allowed to divorce their husbands Women could also ask for a divorce
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What do we also know about women and their legal/ business life?
Women had legal rights, they could own their own wealth and could work in business
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How were women and education considered?
Well educated women were considered dangerous,
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FOr studies on medieval women, what string of history/ who were negative to accept female agency?
19th century institutional political history
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When were the first female academics and what did they question?
1900-1950, -They questioned traditional views on power, constrictions of society and a new understanding of how things worked
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When were the first re-evaluations of categories applied to women?
1950-1965
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When was the influence of feminism applied and an example of how?
968-1990, -Books introduced on gender studies
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Give an example of a book from 1968 which shows the influence of feminism?
M.Facinger, a study of Medieval Queenship: Capetian France, 987-1237
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Give another example of a later progression of a book from 1983?
The Knight, the Lady and the Priest by G.Duby
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By around 1993, what was there a definite consolidation of?
Women history and Gender studies,
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For women in history, what is sex?
The morphological and biological character of a human being
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How is gender constructed?
It is culturally constructed and a historically changing category
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What is gender?
It defines as an unstable system of differences between men and women
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Therefore what are we trying to define?
What it means to be a man and a woman in a certain socity
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Gender is not only defined from our own sense of self, but also what?
External factors such as religion, family, politics, education etc.
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For patriarchy and misogyny, did women have rights?
Yes, but thye existed in the framework of a patriarchal society
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How was control exercised over women?
Through the women's sexuality through laws and ideology
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What is this known as?
Misogyny
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What is Misogyny?
A social construction which portrays women as foolish, l ow intelligence and with excessive ambition
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Give an example of how patriarhcy was supported by misogyny from the author Jean de Meung? What did he say in what?
"I woud never have taken a wife. He hold no man to be wise who takes a woman in marriage ,whether ugly or beautiful, poor or rich." -Roman de la Rose
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However, give an example of positive proto-feminist author and what is discussed?
Christine of Piza, -Discusses the economics of justice and freedom in women if women ruled, society would be greater
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What women does Fossel argue has power such as who and how?
Often refers to noblewomen and Queens, who exercised influence, managed social networks, acted as regents or ruled in their own right, took over diferent political situations etc.
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Does Fossel argue the majority of women of high nobility have this power?
No they often had no real significance in the political organisation of their realm,
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What does this mean for sources?
There are a lack fo sources as they weren't remebered as exceptional
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How does McNamara argue noblewomen's relationships with power before the year 1000 based on their family?
Noblewomen were rich and powerful because their infuential families privileged them. They had extensive titles of property, and were able to increase their wealth,
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However, how does Fossel describe the changes after 1000 on women?
They were at a disadvantage- Therewere increasingly hierarchal elements in the church, state and society
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Give an example of how these changes disadvantaged women based on education?
Exclusion of women from universities and the associated educational career opportunities made the equality of the sexes,
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For power and authority, what does Fossel argue are the three types of Queens and a definition?
1) Reigning Queens- Female claims to the throne were a last resort, 2) Regent queens- This brought Quens into a more central political position, -Queen COnsorts- They intervened in 1/4 to 1/3 of royal charters
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Under Carolingian rule, what does Fossel argue it wasn't common to do based on wives?
It wasn't common to crown and anoint royal wives which the three spiritual acts of consecration, anointing and coronation,
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However, when did they become crowned this way?
From the 10th century onwards
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Instead, how does Fossel argue the wife was crowned when the King took power?
It was common for the wife to be crowned Queen in a separate ceremony,
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Would she travel with the King to Rome?
Yes but later in order to be elevated to empress in the same ceremony,
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What does the coronation depict an image of?
An ideal Queen and provides a model for her as ruler, wife and mother
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WHy are Queens easier to study than other women?
AS they are mroe visible in the records so easier to study their life, their career and impact on politics,
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Who writes most Medieval sources and how does this mean women are 'hidden' from sources?
They are written by men, for men so difficult to find information about women, espeically lower class women
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What do Queens have to be?
Intelligent, beuatiful, chaste, and good mothers
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Therefore, Queenship was what kind of role, connected to what?
A gender specific role, connected to female family roles (being mother and wife)
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What does Gilsdorf state about the Queen and her position in the family?
The Queens position within the realm was inseparable from her position and power within the family,
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How does Gilsdorf argue this reflects a broader ideological structure?
Familal relations served as a model for other social ties
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Did the Queen's position as wife and mother play a role in defining her political options and how?
Yes it did-She was the person responsible for bearing the King's heir, the Queen quite literally reproduced the familial- political order, an order which she was expected to maintain and defend- Interests lie with children
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What were Queens known for based on power and an example?
They were known for exercising large amounts of power- In some cases when Kings die, they can act as regent,
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Was the Queen's power the same as male power?
No ti was different- It was based on personal networks and family bonds rather than through violence and pain,
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How else was the Queen's pwoer limited based on the idea she married the King?
Becoming Queen was only by dint of marriage to the King so the range of opportunities available varied,
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How else was the Queen's power limited other than the King and based on expectations?
It was limited by personal, material and symbolic resources which she herself possessed and more broadly by the traditions and expectations of her society,
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Although, how did the Queen gain power based on her relationship withthe King?
She was the person who shared the King's bed and had the easiest access to the King's ear- and her opinion was often valued by the King,
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For Queens and religion, give an example from Gilsdorf of two examples of women known for their holiness and what was their role in society?
-Mathilda and Adelheid, -They were Queenns
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Why were they deemed worthy of praise?
Not only for their devotion to God and their enduring faith, but for the way in which they integrated these traditional virtues with some "wordly" attributes:
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Give some exampels of these traditional virtues with more "worldy attributes" based on being a Queen?
Noble birth, royal marriage, political power, and illustrious offspring,
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Therfore, Gilsdorf argues they are the model of what?
"Royal sanctity"
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For case studies, when does Judith marry what Emperor?
-819, -Emperor Louis the Pious
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How does De Jong argue Judith waschosen by Louis?
In a 'beauty show' or a 'bride show' when daughters of the aristocracy were 'brought from everywhere' for the King, Louis' inspection.
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Is this believed by all?
There is a historical debate as to whether Byzantine custom was adopted by the Franks, or whether this is fiction, or even if the groom was the leader player,
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When did she have her son and how does her power grow?
823- Her son, called Charles, -Her prestige at court grows
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At the beginning of her marriage, how was Judith as a wife and mother?
She was known for being a beautiful and dutiful wife, and the wise mother and educator of her son, Charles
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De Jong argues connecting beauty and virtue was part of what?
Traditional panygyric- Her splendour became the visible expression of her royal dignity,
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Who was she linked to based on the Old Testament?
Judith, a widow
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How was Judith from the Old Testament presented?
She functioned as a clever and brave woman, overcoming inconstancy, the struggle against fragility and she seduced and beheaded a threat to her city
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Who was she also compared to at the beginning of her reign based on the Wives of the Old Testament?
Esther, Leah, an Rachel who helped populate the Earth- Her beauty and virtue was on parallel with theirs, showing greatness and leadership
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WHo does De Jong argue was she particularly compared to based on motherhood?
Sarah, Rebecca who were biblical matriarchs who produced long-desired heirs and their descendants populated the world
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In 829, what does Judith want to do based on succession?
She wants to include Charles in the succession plans, which Louis accepts
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When do rumours start to circulate about Judith having an affair with who?
830, -bernards, the Chamberlain
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How does De Jong describe the importance of this scandal?
Very important- It might undermine the reputation ofthe palace,
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What was an added extra to the Scandal?
She was also at risk of being accused of incest as well as adultery as Duke bernard was the emperor's godchild,
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From 830-33, what does Judith have to do?
She has to abandon the palace and is exiled into a convent (twice)
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What did the Emperor order at hearing the scandal?
"the entire troop of women, which was huge, to be excluded from the Palace, except the very few deemed suitable for royal service"
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What did this scandal go towards creatin based on female sexuality?
Led to creating a discourse of purity and danger, which defined female sexuality as a major contamination of the palace,
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Where was Judith sent first and then to when for take veil and do penance for her sins?
She was taken to the convent of Sainte-mArie and then to the royal nunnery,
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What was one of the main reasons why she was taken to the nunnery?
As a revolt broke out in King Louis' absence
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After the scandal, what does De Jong say about who she was now compared from the Bible?
She was compared with Jezebel, a prostitute from the Bible
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When does Louis finally gain control of his Empire after what?
834, -After years of conflict with his son
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What happened to Judith?
She was reinstated at court,
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When did Judith die?
One year after he husband
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Therefore what are the two views of Judith?
-A loving wife and mother, vs -A wrecker of the empire
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Give a quote from Emoldus the Black, in Honour of Louis and how he describes her as a loving wife?
"Joyfully Louis reclined at the table, and ordered beautiful Judith to his wide; she kissed his knee"
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Give a quote from Emoldus the Black, in Honour of Louis and how he describes her as a loving mother?
"He pleaded and pleaded but his lovely mother forbade him to go, unwilling to yield to his plea"
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Give a quote from Radbertus, who wrote Epitaph of Arsenius which describes her as a wrecker of empire?
"Evidence that he [the emperor] was deluded by malicious crafts lies in the fact he reused to heed the most faithful consuls... He heeded to recieve anyone into his confidence except those who Judith approved"
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Overall, how does Fossel argue Judith used power like which biblical figure?
They both has masculine strength and used power in a typically male way, like Esther, so perhaps others felt challenged,
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When did Emma become Queen of England by marrying who?
1002, -Maries King Aethelred II the Unready
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When did Aethelred II die?
1016
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Who does Emma marry after and when?
Cnut, the Danish conqueror in 1017
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When does Cnut die and what is there conflict for after?
1035, Conflicts for the Enlish throne
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Who becomes King of England next in 1037and what happens to her?
Harold, Cnut's son from his first wife, becomes King an Emma does into exile
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However, in 1040 Harold dies. Who becomes King next?
Emmas son Harthacnut
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However in 1042 Harthacnut dies. Who becomes King next?
Emma's son Edward (the confessor) becomes King
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When does Emma die?
1052
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In 'In Praise of Queen Emma' how is she described as a great Queen by being a mother?
"She wisely provided for her offspring, knew on her wisdow how to make arrangements in advance, whch were to be their advantage"
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Therefor,e what is the quote suggesting about how Emma had power?
The Queen couldn't ask formally for power and exercise power publically so instead she did it indirectly,
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For late medieval case studies, who is remembered but she was not beautiful, not a wife or a mother or a Queen?
Joan of Arc
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Why was Joan of Arc remembered?
She has a powerful roel in the 100 years war and history. She was breaking the rules for wearing men's clothes and going to war,
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When was Joan of Arc born and where?
1412 in Domremy, Lorraine
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After the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, what happened to the dauphin Charles?
He is disinherited?
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When did Joan' the propher' begin to start hearing voices?
1424
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When did the seige of Orleans start?
1428
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When did she visit the Court of Charles in Chinon and how was she presented?
March 1429, -She wore men's clothes
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What did Yolande of Aragon have to make sure about Joan based on religion and her sexuality?
She was sent to Poitiers for theological questionning and they checked to see if Joan was actually a female and a maid
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When did the seige end and what was rthe result?
1429 and victory for the French,
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After other sieges and victories involving Joan when is Charles again crowned King of France?
July 1929
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However, in September 1429 what happened?
Failed attempt to take Paris
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In December 1429, who honours Joan and her family?
The King of Rouen
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However, in May 1430 what happens to Joan?
She is captured by the Burgundians and then sold to the English
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Why do the English see her as a threat?
They are aware she is a morale booster and had a position in symbolically anointing Charles
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In May 1431 to May, what is decide at her trial?
She is sentenced to death,
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What does Joan do as a resukt of this sentence?
She recants, sweating not to wear men's clothes again
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Argubaly why did they submit to the Church?
They terorised her- They threatened her by burning, and admitted her guilt and said she was a heretic,
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However, why is Joan sentenced to death?
She is lured into breakign her oath due to fears of **** in prison
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When is Joan burned at the stake at what age, which her career lasting how long?
May 1431, -age of 19, -Career lasted 2 years,
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Who was Yolande of Aragon?
She was the only women in the royal court during the 100 years war, and was there when it finished
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When was Yolande claimant to the throne and how?
1410- He brother marti died as well as her hisband Louis of Orleans
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In 1417, what title does her son Charles take. However, being too young, what does she act as for House Anjou?
Named Dauphin, -However he was too young so Yolande acted as regent in his name,
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How did Yolande help Joan?
She was an early supported of Joan and understoof she was a morale boost at the time
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How did she help the King?
Se was in COurt so helped his choices and decided to centralise tax whcih was the creation of a modern state,
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To conclude, what does gender history expose and how?
It exposes stereotypes and prejudices- OWmen in every society have an important role other than childbirth and marriage,
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How does gender help us in history?
It helps us to understand every aspect of past societies,
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What did patriarchy create but did it completely hinder?
Created an unequa society but didn't necessarily deny women agency,
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While men tried to deny women money, power, sexua freedom etc. were they always successful?
No- Women could find ways to challenge these lmitation,s
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COuld women exercise power and influence?
Yes, but just in a different way to men
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