Medieval Christianity and Women
Women in the medieval Christian church had many roles: saints, abbesses, religious, hermits, witches. Here are articles and links to explore the many roles of women, aspects of their lives, and the attitudes towards women in the Middle Ages.
Abbess - The Role of the Abbess
An abbess is not just a female Abbott, though the roles are somewhat similar.
An abbess is not just a female Abbott, though the roles are somewhat similar.
Joan of Arc and Catherine of Siena
Francis C. Lowell in 1896 compared Joan of Arc and Catherine of Siena, religious mystics who lived at about the same time.
Francis C. Lowell in 1896 compared Joan of Arc and Catherine of Siena, religious mystics who lived at about the same time.
Popess Joan
A story in the 13th century about a Pope who turned out to be a woman is not believed by most scholars, though the story still has its defenders.
A story in the 13th century about a Pope who turned out to be a woman is not believed by most scholars, though the story still has its defenders.
Marozia
Marozia was trained by her mother Theodora to be a major player in papal politics. Marozia was allegedly the mistress of one Pope, mother of another and grandmother of yet another.
Marozia was trained by her mother Theodora to be a major player in papal politics. Marozia was allegedly the mistress of one Pope, mother of another and grandmother of yet another.
Theodora
Theodora wielded power in a period of notable corruption in Rome. Allegedly the lover of Pope John X, Theodora was more certainly the grandmother of Pope John XI and great-grandmother of Pope John XII.
Theodora wielded power in a period of notable corruption in Rome. Allegedly the lover of Pope John X, Theodora was more certainly the grandmother of Pope John XI and great-grandmother of Pope John XII.
Women Saints: Doctors of the Church
St. Catherine of Siena and St. Teresa of Avila were both made Doctors of the Church, a title meaning their doctrines are valid and they serve as teachers.
St. Catherine of Siena and St. Teresa of Avila were both made Doctors of the Church, a title meaning their doctrines are valid and they serve as teachers.
Women in Medieval and Renaissance Music: Albums
Today, women composers of the medieval and Renaissance periods are becoming better known. Many were women leading religious lives who had the time and education to devote to composition. Here are some picks of music by women composers or with female subjects and performers, selected for diversity and quality.
Today, women composers of the medieval and Renaissance periods are becoming better known. Many were women leading religious lives who had the time and education to devote to composition. Here are some picks of music by women composers or with female subjects and performers, selected for diversity and quality.
Abelard and Heloise: The Love Affair
Esther Lombardi, About's Guide to Classic Literature, presents an excellent summary of the relationship between a well-educated woman of the 12th century and her mentor/husband, the philosopher Peter Abelard. After the tragic twist in their relationship, Heloise's family forced her into the religious life.
Esther Lombardi, About's Guide to Classic Literature, presents an excellent summary of the relationship between a well-educated woman of the 12th century and her mentor/husband, the philosopher Peter Abelard. After the tragic twist in their relationship, Heloise's family forced her into the religious life.
Abbesses as Managers in Twelfth-Century France
An essay by Bruce L. Venarde documenting the roles that abbesses sometimes played in medieval France, managing religious communities.
An essay by Bruce L. Venarde documenting the roles that abbesses sometimes played in medieval France, managing religious communities.
The Chapel
An overview of women's role in medieval religion, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. (A ThinkQuest project.)
An overview of women's role in medieval religion, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. (A ThinkQuest project.)
Helena, Egeria, and Paula: Women Pilgrims
Women went on religious journeys to many of the important sites of early Christianity. Birgitta, Margery and Julian are also mentioned.
Women went on religious journeys to many of the important sites of early Christianity. Birgitta, Margery and Julian are also mentioned.
The Hours of Jeanne d'Evreux: Prayer Book for a Queen
A fourteenth century prayer book of Jeanne d'Evreux, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's online exhibits.
A fourteenth century prayer book of Jeanne d'Evreux, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's online exhibits.
Julian of Norwich Website
Despite the name, this website includes essays on many medieval religious women, in addition to rich resources on Julian herself.
Despite the name, this website includes essays on many medieval religious women, in addition to rich resources on Julian herself.
Kassia
Eastern Orthodox writer of the ninth century. Background, bibliography, translations.
Eastern Orthodox writer of the ninth century. Background, bibliography, translations.
Power Suffering
Lives of medieval saints, and the anorexic behavior they engaged in to prove their sanctity -- and similar self-mutilation among girls today. (Registration may be required.)
Lives of medieval saints, and the anorexic behavior they engaged in to prove their sanctity -- and similar self-mutilation among girls today. (Registration may be required.)