Smithsonian Magazine

How Medieval Women Expressed Their ‘Forbidden’ Emotions

Medieval Europe was a place of great emotional incontinence, so much so that historian Johan Huizinga once claimed, “Modern man has … no idea of the unrestrained extravagance of the medieval heart.” ...
Hyperallergic

More Medieval Texts Were Scribed by Women Than Previously Believed

Illustration of writer and scribe Christine de Pizan presenting her book to Isabeau of Bavaria, Queen of France, in the early 15th century (illustration via Getty Images) Women contributed more ...
Time

Medieval Women Were a Vital Part of the Workforce. We Can Learn from Them

“Work in the fields,” detail from the month of Oct., in the Cycle of the Months fresco by Master Venceslao, displayed in Buonconsiglio Castle, in Trento, Italy. “Work in the fields,” detail from the ...
The Conversation

Medieval illustrated manuscripts reveal how upper‑class women managed healthy households – overseeing everything from purging, leeching and cupping to picking the right wet ...

What type of images come to mind when you think of medieval art? Knights and ladies? Biblical scenes? Cathedrals? It’s probably not some unfortunate man in the throes of vomiting. It might surprise ...
The Conversation

Medieval women used falconry to subvert gender norms

Hawks are taking cinematic flight. In two recent literary adaptations, they are entwined with the lives and emotions of their respective protagonists – Agnes Shakespeare (née Hathaway) and Helen ...