Tag Archives: women

Christine de Pizan

Posted on May 26, 2016 by Ruth

Around 1400, the most famous woman author was Christine de Pizan (or Pisan, both short for Pizzano, south of Bologna, Italy). Christine spent her life at the French court, originally moving there as an infant when her father was hired … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Death, Literature, Medieval cycle of life, Women | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Christine de Pizan

Early medieval ladies

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Ruth

This post is a follow-up to an earlier one about the lives of castle ladies. Prior to 1100, medieval ladies didn’t have castles, they had halls. There was one key difference that completely shaped the lady’s life. That is, instead … Continue reading →

Posted in Castles, Medieval cycle of life, Women | Tagged , | Comments Off on Early medieval ladies

The peasant’s wife

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Ruth

The peasant’s wife had a pretty hard life. In addition to helping with a lot of field work as needed, she did a lot of everything else. Her most likely cause of death by accident was to fall into the … Continue reading →

Posted in Medieval cycle of life, Women | Tagged | Leave a comment

Life of a castle lady

Posted on February 9, 2013 by Ruth

Adult life for a knight’s wife probably began in her middle to late teen years; her husband could be anywhere from 21 to 35, depending on how soon land and affluence had come to him. Upper class girls were sometimes … Continue reading →

Posted in Medieval cycle of life | Tagged | Leave a comment

Planning for an average wedding

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Ruth

It’s the late 13th century and you’re a prosperous cooper in a mid-sized town in Flanders. Your daughter, age 17, is getting married in the spring, and you need to put on a feast for 100. You live in/above your … Continue reading →

Posted in Medieval cycle of life | Tagged , | Leave a comment

A wedding in Italy

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Ruth

Weddings in medieval Italy were a little bit different. The betrothal was a much bigger deal in Italy than in Northern Europe. The bride’s family prepared a lavish feast at their home. The bride’s male relatives met the groom and … Continue reading →

Posted in Medieval cycle of life | Tagged , | Leave a comment

With this ring, I thee wed!

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Ruth

The medieval wedding ceremony itself was very simple. First, the priest had to ask his legal questions. Were they both of age? (Legal marriage age varied with place and time.) Were they legally free to marry–that is, was either already … Continue reading →

Posted in Medieval cycle of life, Women | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Wedding on the church steps

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Ruth

The simplest medieval wedding was the informal private marriage, but it was not recommended. All that was truly required was that the couple must say to each other “I take you as my wife” and “I take you as my … Continue reading →

Posted in Medieval cycle of life, Women | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Will you marry me?

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Ruth

In medieval Europe, they believed in men and women choosing freely whom to marry. Among the royalty and aristocracy, since marriage was connected to property and government, marriages were basically arranged. But for the rest of medieval European society, marriages … Continue reading →

Posted in Medieval cycle of life | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Dowries

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Ruth

Medieval children transitioned into adulthood with growing responsibility in their profession or with marriage. Girls (as always) married earlier, so we’ll start with marriage from the girl’s point of view. Aristocratic girls could be betrothed or married at very young … Continue reading →

Posted in Medieval cycle of life, Women | Tagged , | Leave a comment