Medieval Elite Women and the Exercise of Power, 1100–1400: Moving beyond the Exceptionalist Debate

by Heather J. Tanner (Editor)

For decades, medieval scholarship has been dominated by the paradigm that women who wielded power after c. 1100 were exceptions to the “rule” of female exclusion from governance and the public sphere. This collection makes a powerful case for a new paradigm. Building on the premise that elite women in positions of authority were expected, accepted, and routine, these essays traverse the cities and kingdoms of France, England, Germany, Portugal, and the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem in order to illuminate women’s roles in medieval power structures. Without losing sight of the predominance of patriarchy and misogyny, contributors lay the groundwork for the acceptance of female public authority as normal in medieval society, fostering a new framework for understanding medieval elite women and power.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Medieval, Medieval History

310 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[Julie Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uneven. Chapters detailing the different ways women wielded power including as matriarch of the family (Isabella Marshall), both 'soft' and 'hard' power of Queens (Anne of Bohemia and Catherine of Aragon) as nuns (The Penitent Sisters of Speyer) [Loved this chapter!!] and even outright powergrabs like Alice of Antioch.

Chapter 3: The most perfect Knight's countess: Isabella de Clare, Her Daughters and Women's Exercise in Powers in Influence, 1190-1250.
Most important point: The Matriarch of the family, Isabella, granted William the Marshall all his power and prestige, and thus it was her family connections that gave their family any power. Moreover, through familial alliances managed and maintained by the Marshall women with other elite women - such as Ela Longespree, and the women of the Lacy family, they built marriage markets and strengthen bonds across families ~ including in rebellion.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Read for Honours History thesis on a similar theme.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good historiography but as can be an occupational hazard of edited chapters in a book, sometimes the essays felt a little disjointed. I would have liked a more thorough introduction and conclusion, at least.