GENDER ROLES IN EARLY MODERN EUROPE
1. WOMEN’S HISTORY
Social and cultural History + feminism > ‘herstory’; female oppression and agency in a
patriarchal society
Theory vs practice – female inferiority justified by Creation story
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Physiological shortcomings = inverted man (‘one sex’ model - Laqueur),
humorally unstable, roving womb, insatiable lust
Patriarchal society – model = monarchical state
Justification of domestic violence and control e.g. re scolds
Female agency
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Ran households – some 10% in towns headed by single women
Trade – especially textiles and alimentary
No formal political role and limited education but social status significant
Informal role considerable re riots, popular culture, gossip networks
Reputation dependence of retention of sexual virtue; whore common term of abuse
Worsening position in early modern period?
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Socio-economically - with increasing population and cheap labour
Legally – losing rights; increased conviction for ‘women’s crimes’ – witchcraft and
esp infanticide, significant legislation in France 1556, England 1624
Patriarchy reinforced politically and religiously e.g. by Reformations, Prot & Cath re
morality, prostitution etc
Culturally – vs rituals of popular culture controlled by disorderly groups
2. HISTORY OF MASCULINITY
Pressures on men to conform too
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Most disenfranchised and subordinate
Position also dependent on marital status and honour – re credit, honesty
Ability to stand up for himself – in fights, hold drink
Noble culture – duels and vendetta
Answerable for behaviour of household in courts
Lack of control risked public humiliation as too failure to father children
Renaissance debates inc. Querelle des femmes not about gender wars
3. HISTORY OF SEXUALITY
Gender roles also seen through lens of sex
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Who took active/passive roles significant no matter which sexes involved
Transgression of gender roles destabilising – e.g. cross-dressing, hermaphrodites