ROYAL & ARISTOCRATIC WOMEN IN THE MIDDLE AGES
I.
ROYAL & ARISTOCRATIC WOMEN IN THE MIDDLE AGES
A.
INTRODUCTION
1.
DISCUSSION OF LIFE IN MIDDLE AGES
a.
NB AS LIFE WILL FOLLOW THESE PATTERNS
(1)
UNTIL LAST SEVERAL CENTURIES
(2)
WITH ADVENT OF INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
2.
PEOPLE FROM PEASANT TO ROYALTY WILL
a.
FUNCTION AS DID IN MIDDLE AGES
3.
KNOWLEDGE GREATEST FOR THIS GROUP OF WOMEN
4.
STATUS & POWER CAME FROM LAND & CONNECTIONS
a.
INHERITANCE OF LAND
b.
MARRIAGE INTO MORE LAND
c.
ENDOWMENT OF LAND, EDIFICES TO CHURCH, HOSPITALS
d.
DEFENDING OF CASTLES, ETC. WHILE HUSBANDS, FATHERS
GONE
e.
RULING AS REGENT
f.
MANAGEMENT OF ESTATES OF VARIOUS SIZES
g.
ADMINISTRATIVE ROLES IF QUEEN
(1)
FINANCIAL, COURTS
B.
EDUCATION
1.
HOW COULD WOMAN ACQUIRE HER EDUCATION?
a.
TUTORING AT HOME
b.
SCHOOLING IN CONVENTS
c.
OCCASIONALLY W /BOYS IN LOCAL SCHOOL
(1)
ALTHOUGH CHURCH FROWNED ON THIS
2.
NOBLEWOMEN GIVEN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
a.
READ & WRITE
b.
TO READ PRAYER BOOKS OR POETRY
3.
MANY INSTANCES READING PSALTER & SIGNING HER NAME
a.
LEVEL EDUCATION WENT
4.
MOST QUEENS VERY WELL EDUCATED
a.
KNEW NUMEROUS LANGUAGES INCLUDING LATIN
5.
BUT NOBLE LADIES & UPPER CLASS ONES
a.
BETTER EDUCATED THAN LAYMEN
6.
DESPITE TRADITION WHICH BEGAN WITH PAUL
a.
OF DISCOURAGING WOMEN'S EDUCATION
7.
RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS PRODUCED VIRTUALLY ALL GREAT
INTELLECTUAL WOMEN OF MIDDLE AGES
8.
BUT DOMINANCE OF UNIVERSITIES IN ED IN 13TH C
a.
BROUGHT DECLINE IN EDUCATION OF WOMEN
b.
EXCEPT IN MEDICINE
9.
HELOISE - DIED 1163
a.
EXTREMELY WELL-EDUCATED
(1)
STORY OF HER TUTOR PETER ABELARD, ETC.
b.
FRIEND OF FAMOUS OF TIME
(1)
ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE, THOMAS BECKET, BERNARD
OF CLAIRVAUX
c.
ABBESS
C.
LEISURE-TIME ACTIVITIES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
II.
LEISURE TIME ACTIVITIES
a.
NOT ALL THAT DIFFERENT FROM MALES
NOBLE WOMAN EXPECTED TO KNOW HOW TO RIDE
TO BREED FALCONS
a.
ACCORDING TO JOHN OF SALISBURY
b.
WOMEN BETTER AT BREEDING FALCONS THAN MEN
TO HUNT WITH FALCONS
WOMEN ATTENDED TOURNAMENTS
a.
MAIN ENTERTAINMENT IN PEACETIME
b.
MANUALS OF GUIDANCE FOR WOMEN
TO PLAY CHESS & BACKGAMMON
TO DANCE, SING,
RECITE POETRY & TELL STORIES
2
MARRIAGE, DIVORCE & FAMILY CUSTOMS
A.
MARRIAGES
1.
3 PARTS TO VALID MARRIAGE IN MIDDLE AGES
a.
BETROTHAL
b.
WEDDING
c.
CONSUMMATION
2.
ROYAL & NOBLE MARRIAGES ARRANGED WHEN STILL INFANTS IN
CRADLES
a.
FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES
3.
SO CHURCH TRIED TO GET AGE OF BETROTHAL NO EARLIER THAN 7
a.
BUT NOT ALWAYS SUCCESSFUL
4.
MANY YOUNG GIRLS WOULD LIVE WITH THEIR INLAWS IN FOREIGN
LAND WHILE AWAITING AGE OF CONSUMMATION
a.
12 FOR GIRLS
b.
14 FOR BOYS
5.
HONEYMOON
a.
SPECIAL WINE FROM HONE
b.
CONSUMED FOR 30 DAYS
c.
FROM 1 FULL MOON UNDER WHICH COUPLE MARRIED TO
NEXT ONE
6.
2-RING TRADITIONS
a.
POPE INNOCENT III DECREED WAITING PERIOD BETWEEN
BETROTHAL & MARRIAGE
(1)
LED TO 2 RING TRADITIONS
7.
DIAMONDS
a.
1ST USED IN ENGAGEMENT RINGS IN MEDIEVAL ITALY
b.
THEIR DURABILITY SYMBOLIZED ENDURING LOVE
8.
GARTER
a.
14TH C. FRANCE WEDDING GUSTS
(1)
RUSHED FOR BRIDE'S GARTER BECAUSE IT BESTOWED
GREAT LUCK
(a)
SYMBOLIZED RELEASE OF VIRGIN GIRDLE
(2)
BUT BECAUSE PEOPLE HURT IN ONSLAUGHT BRIDES
BEGAN TO REMOVE THEIR GARTERS & THROW THEM
INSTEAD
9.
CAKE
a.
MEDIEVAL ENGLAND EACH GUEST BROUGHT BUN OR SMALL
B.
III.
CAKE OT WEDDING
b.
PULLED ATOP EACH OTHER
c.
BRIDE & GROOM KISSED OVER STACK TO INSURE MANY
HEALTHY CHILDREN
d.
MODERN CAKE - WHEN BAKER PUT ALL TOGETHER &
COVERED WITH FROSTING
DIVORCE & SEPARATION
1.
DIVORCE NOT ALLOWED
a.
ONCE MARRIAGE MADE SACRAMENT IN 9TH C.
2.
ANNULMENT FOR
a.
CONSANGUINITY
(1)
4-7TH DEGREES
b.
AFFINES
(1)
RELATIVES
(2)
SPIRITUAL
3.
SEPARATION
a.
NOT GRANTED THAT OFTEN
3
SPECIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN IN NOBILITY CLASS
A.
GENERAL REMARKS
1.
FOUNDED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING
a.
VARIOUS COLLEGES IN ENGLAND
(1)
QUEEN'S COLLEGE - OXFORD
2.
BUILT CHURCHES, ABBEYS, MONASTERIES
a.
ABBEY OF FONTEVRAULT
3.
ELIZABETH, LADY OF CLARE
a.
RENOWNED FOR CHARITY DURING HER 30 YRS WIDOWHOOD
b.
DAILY ALLOWANCE TO 800 PEOPLE
c.
FOUNDED CLARE COLLEGE AT CAMBRIDGE
4.
ACCORDING TO CHRISTINE DE PISAN, A HOUSEHOLD BUDGET
SHOULD INCLUDE 5 PARTS
a.
ALMSGIVING - TO POOR & SICK
b.
HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES
c.
PAYMENTS TO OFFICIALS
d.
GIFTS
e.
JEWELS, DRESSES & MISCELLANEOUS
B.
COURTLY LOVE & COURTLY LITERATURE
1.
HIGH MIDDLE AGES WHEN COURTLY LITERATURE BESTOWED ON
WESTERN CULTURE
a.
12-13TH CENTURIES
2.
LITERATURE INSPIRED BY WOMEN
3.
ELEVATING THEIR IMAGE & ANSWERING THEIR PSYCHOLOGICAL
NEEDS
4.
TIME WHEN STANDARD OF LIVING ROSE
5.
CULTURAL RESURGENCE KNOWN AS 12TH C. RENAISSANCE BEGAN
6.
NOBLEMEN DEVOTED MUCH MORE TIME TO SOCIAL PURSUITS
7.
WOMEN PLAYED NB PART IN SOCIAL EVENTS WHICH TOOK PLACE IN
CASTLE
a.
DANCING
b.
GAMES
c.
RECITATIONS BY POETS & MUSICIANS
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
4
d.
WOMEN PATRONS OF POETS
e.
KNIGHTLY TOURNAMENTS
NEW SYSTEM OF SOCIAL CONDUCT
a.
WHERE MAN WHO ACTED IN KNIGHTLY FASHION TOWARDS
LADIES HONORED
THIS SYSTEM LEFT ITS IMPACT ON CONDUCT IN SOCIETY OF UPPER
CLASSES IN WESTERN EUROPE FOR CENTURIES
CERTAIN NORMS OF BEHAVIOR DEVELOPED BY GREATER RESPECT
& COURTESY TOWARDS WOMEN
BUT NO EVIDENCE CHANGED RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MAN &
WIFE
RECENT INTERPRETATION OF COURTLY LITERATURE ON OTHER
HAND EMPHASIZES INNER NEEDS OF MAN TO WHICH THIS
LITERATURE ANSWERED
IN COURTLY POEM OR ROMANCE MAN SEEKS LOVE OF WOMAN
& SHE RESPONDS OR REJECTS HIM AT WILL
SHE NEVER SUCCUMBS LIGHTLY
WHETHER SHE IS RESPONDING TO PLATONIC LOVE OR SENSUAL
LOVE
IT IS SHE WHO DICTATES CONDITIONS & RULES OF GAME
MAN MUST COURT HER, ACT COURTEOUSLY & WITH RESTRAINT
LOVE IN COURTLY LITERATURE IS CENTER OF MAN'S LIFE
IN ORDER TO WIN LOVE OF HIS ADORED LADY HE MUST ENDURE
ALL THE TRIALS SHE IMPOSES ON HIM
THIS CONDUCT IN COMPLETE CONTRAST BOTH TO MARRIAGE
CUSTOMS OF NOBILITY
a.
WHERE WOMEN MARRIED OFF FOR POLITICAL & ECONOMIC
REASONS
b.
STATUS OF MARRIED WOMAN SUBJECT BY LAW TO
AUTHORITY OF HER HUSBAND
DICTATION OF CONDITIONS FOR LOVE BY WOMAN
& SUBJUGATION OF LOVER TO HIS MISTRESS
LIKE A VASSAL DOING HER HOMAGE
CAN BE REGARDED AS PROTEST AGAINST EXISTING INSTITUTION OF
MARRIAGE
& IN PART AGAINST SOCIAL ORDER IN GENERAL
SINCE CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF COURTLY POEMS & ROMANCES
DESCRIBE LOVE WHICH IS SENSUAL & NOT AIMED AT PROPAGATION
IT ALSO CONSTITUTED A PROTEST AGAINST SEXUAL ETHICS OF
CHURCH
BUT MOST NB IMAGE OF WOMAN IS FACT THAT IN COURTLY
LITERATURE SHE IS NOT SEEN AS DESTRUCTIVE FORCE
IN MOST OF THE WORKS LOVE FOR WOMAN IS SOURCE OF
INSPIRATION FOR HEROIC ACTION & ENHANCEMENT OF MORALITY
FOR HER LOVER
SHE HOLDS FATE OF HER LOVER IN HER HAND
NEITHER TENDER NOR FORGIVING SHE IMPOSES ON HER LOVER
ARDUOUS & OFTEN ARBITRARY TASKS
BUT THESE TASKS ARE REGARDED AS MEANS OF ATTAINING
MORAL PERFECTION
LOVE IS A FORCE FOR GOOD & BEAUTY
5
EVEN IN THOSE LESS CONVENTIONAL WORKS SUCH AS SOME
VERSIONS OF ROMANCE OF TRISTAN & ISOLDE
36.
WOMAN IS NOT DESTRUCTIVE FACTOR
37.
COURTLY LITERATURE ALSO RESPONDED TO ASPIRATIONS & NEEDS
OF MALE SOCIETY
38.
& COULD NOT HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL WITHOUT THESE ELEMENTS
39.
FEMININE ELEMENT OPENED UP FOR MEN PATH TO MORAL
IMPROVEMENT
40.
PERFECT KNIGHT
a.
COURAGEOUS WARRIOR
b.
CHRISTIAN - RELIGIOUSLY INSPIRED TO FIGHT BATTLE
AGAINST INJUSTICE
c.
& ADMIRER OF LADY
41.
COURTLY LITERATURE REFLECTED VISIONS WHICH EMBODIED
ILLUSIONS OF PERFECT HERO IN WHOM LUSTS OF FLESH HAD BEEN
TRANSFORMED INTO VIRTUE, SACRIFICING HIMSELF FOR LADY
42.
LIKE EVERY LITERATURE WHICH REFLECTS A DREAM,
43.
IT DID NOT MIRROR REALITY & ONLY MINIMALLY FORMULATED IT
PATRONS OF COURTLY LOVE LITERATURE
1.
ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE
a.
MOST RENOWNED OF MANY NOBLEWOMEN WHO
PATRONIZED AUTHORS OF COURTLY ROMANCES & POETRY
b.
PATRONESS OF TROUBADOURS IN SOUTHERN FRANCE
c.
HER DAUGHTER MARIE OF CHAMPAGNE
(1)
PATRONESS OF POET CHRETIEN DE TROYES
(2)
ANDREAS CAPELLANUS
(a)
WHO RECORDED RULE OF COURTLY LOVE IN
GREAT DETAIL
2.
POETS OF COURTLY LOVE PROCLAIMED NAMES OF THEIR LADY
PATRONS
a.
PRAISING THEIR BEAUTY
b.
THEIR QUALITIES & THEIR GENEROSITY
3.
COURTS OF ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE & MARIE OF CHAMPAGNE
MODELS & INSPIRATION FOR OTHER COURTS OF WESTERN EUROPE
4.
CF PATRONS IN MIDDLE AGES W/LADIES WHO CONDUCTED
LITERARY SALONS IN 18- 19TH C.
COURTS OF LOVE
1.
COURTS OF LOVE DEVELOPED AS PART OF FEUDAL COURTS
a.
FORM OF FEMININE CHIVALRY
2.
BEGAN IN SOUTHERN FRANCE
a.
ESPECIALLY IN DUCHY OF AQUITAINE
3.
FOUND PERFECT EXPRESSION IN 2ND HALF 12TH C COURT OF
CHAMPAGNE
a.
WHOSE MODEL IMITATED ELSEWHERE
4.
COURT WAS SOCIAL GATHERING PRESIDED OVER BY LADY OF
CASTLE, ASSEMBLED KNIGHTS
5.
LADIES BEHAVE DIN THEIR MOST GENTLE MANNER, LISTENING &
COMPOSING LOVE SONGS
6.
IDEAL FORM OF LOVE PLATONIC & ALWAYS HOPELESS
7.
KNIGHT EXPECTED TO BE CHAMPION OF HIS BELOVED LADY
a.
ALWAYS MARRIED WOMAN OF HIGH STATUS
35.
C.
D.
6
TO FIGHT FOR HER HONOR & TO RECITE LOVE SONGS
PRAISING HER BEAUTY & IDEAL QUALITIES
8.
POETS & ARTISTS WHO GATHERED AT COURT OF LOVE MADE SOME
OF THEM INTO NB LITERARY EVENTS
9.
THEIR RULES OF CONDUCT ESTABLISHED IN FAMOUS CHARTER OF
MARIE OF CHAMPAGNE C. 1170
CHRISTINE DE PISAN 1.
1369 - C 1429-34
2.
SHE EDUCATED HERSELF IN DEPTH
a.
READ WORKS OF HISTORY, PHILOSOPHY, MORALS, THEOLOGY
& WRITINGS OF CHURCH FATHERS
b.
KNOWLEDGEABLE OF CLASSICAL LITERATURE
3.
MARRIED BEFORE 15
4.
LEFT WIDOW W/O RESOURCES AT 25 WITH 3 CHILDREN
5.
SO SUPPORTED HERSELF WITH HER PEN
a.
IN FACT FIRST WOMAN TO DO SO
6.
PERHAPS MOST NB SHE IS NOW BEING THOUGHT TO BE FIRST
FEMINIST
a.
SHE WROTE POEMS WHERE SHE COMPLAINED OF
FASHIONABLE HABIT OF DISPARAGING WOMEN
b.
SHE ATTACKED MEN FOR THEIR FALSE PROTESTATIONS OF
LOVE & DEVOTION
c.
WHILE ALL TIME BRAGGING OF THEIR CONQUESTS
7.
THEN SHE WROTE SOME FAMOUS WORKS NOT ONLY IN HER OWN
LIFETIME
8.
BUT LATER GENERATIONS READ HER TOO
9.
IN HER THE CITY OF THE LADIES
a.
SHE COMPILED STORIES OF FAMOUS WOMEN
b.
TO ILLUSTRATE VIRTUES OF WOMEN
10.
THE BOOK OF THREE VIRTUES
a.
REASON, RECTITUDE, ( MORAL INTEGRITY, RIGHTEOUSNESS)
& JUSTICE
b.
NOT THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES LIKE FAITH, HOPE & CHARITY
c.
OR CHASTITY, PRUDENCE, ETC.
d.
EDUCATIONAL TREATISE ON DUTIES & RULES OF CONDUCT
e.
OF ALL WOMEN IN DIFFERENT RANKS OF SOCIETY
(1)
WOMEN IN MERCHANT, PEASANT CLASS, NOBILITY
f.
& ALL STAGES OF LIFE
(1)
GIRLHOOD, MOTHERHOOD & WIDOWHOOD
g.
MUCH PRACTICAL ADVISE ON RUNNING ESTATE
b.
E.
IV.
EXAMPLES OF ARISTOCRATIC WOMEN
A.
GENERAL REMARKS
1.
RANGE AMONG NOBLE LADIES GREAT
a.
FROM ROYAL PRINCESSES
b.
TO DUCHESSES & COUNTESSES
c.
WHOSE STATE MIGHT EASILY RIVAL THAT OF QUEENS
2.
TO LADIES, ENNOBLED BY BIRTH, BUT LOWER DOWN IN RANKS
a.
EARL'S WIFE
B.
WAY FOR NOBLE WOMAN TO IMPROVE HER STATUS
1.
LADY COULD IMPROVE HER STATUS THROUGH ADVANTAGEOUS
C.
7
MARRIAGE
a.
OR SUCCESSION OF MARRIAGES
2.
TO BE MARRIED 3 OR MORE TIMES NOT ALL THAT UNUSUAL
3.
ESPECIALLY AMONG HIGHER NOBILITIES DAUGHTERS
a.
AS MARRIED SO YOUNG
4.
ONE OF MEASURES EMPLOYED BY NOBLE FAMILIES TO EVADE
ROYAL COERCION TO MARRY CERTAIN PERSON
a.
TO BETROTH INFANTS
5.
ALTHOUGH NOBLE WOMAN MIGHT HAVE OWN PROPERTY
6.
ONCE SHE MARRIED, AT LEAST IN ENGLAND, HER HUSBAND
CONTROLLED ESTATES
7.
REAL POWER FOR WOMAN CAME WITH WIDOWHOOD WHEN
8.
SHE TOOK FULL CONTROL OF HER DOWER LANDS
9.
& JOINTURE LANDS
a.
LAND GIVEN TO BOTH WHEN HUSBAND STILL ALIVE
10.
& IF HEIR MINOR THEN WIDOW MANAGED & SUPERVISED LANDS &
REVENUES UNTIL HE CAME OF AGE
11.
WIDOWS MIGHT STILL BE FORCED INTO SUBSEQUENT MARRIAGES
BY ROYAL COMMAND
12.
THOUGH MANY BOUGHT FROM KING RIGHT TO REMAIN SINGLE
13.
OR TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN HUSBANDS
14.
LONDON MERCHANTS' DAUGHTERS AS MIDDLE AGES PROGRESSED
SOUGHT IN MARRIAGE BY ARISTOCRATS
a.
TO INFUSE NOBLE'S HOUSEHOLD WITH MONEY
15.
WHILE FEUDAL LAW HAD NOT ANTICIPATED WOMEN INHERITING
DUE TO LACK OF MALES
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES FOR INHERITANCE BENEFITS TO WOMEN
1.
INHERITANCE OF FIEF BY DAUGHTERS NOT UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE
2.
BECAUSE OF HIGH RATE OF UNNATURAL DEATH AMONG MEN OF
NOBILITY
3.
ONE STUDY, WHICH I QUESTION, SHOWS 46% OF ALL MEN DIED
VIOLENTLY AFTER THEIR 15TH YEAR
a.
IN WARS, TOURNAMENTS OR BY EXECUTION DURING CIVIL
WARS
4.
FROM LATE 11TH C. ON CRUSADES ATTRACTED NUMEROUS MEN
5.
WHO DID NOT RETURN
6.
IF WOMAN INHERITED FIEF
7.
& RECORDS INDICATE HIGH PERCENTAGE OF LAND HELD BY
WOMEN
8.
EVENTUALLY IT WORKED OUT TO WHERE WOMAN COULD GET A
SUBSTITUTE TO FIGHT FOR HER
9.
MANY WOMEN IN CHARGE OF ESTATES, ETC. ESPECIALLY FROM
LATE 11TH TO LATE 13TH CENTURIES
10.
WHEN SO MANY LORDS AWAY FOR CRUSADES FOR 5-6 YEARS
11.
SO NOBLE WIVES HAD TO MANAGE ESTATES & FIGHT WHEN
NECESSARY TO KEEP THEIR HOLDINGS
12.
& ESPECIALLY IN FRANCE, WHERE BLOCKS OF LAND CONTIGUOUS,
EXTREMELY POWERFULLY POLITICALLY
13.
IN ENGLAND SITUATION SOMEWHAT MODIFIED
a.
DUE TO WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR
(1)
DOLED OUT LAND TO HIS FOLLOWERS IN LATE 11TH C.
8
NOT GIVING HIS BARONS OR NOBLES CONTIGUOUS
LAND
(3)
BUT SCATTERED IT TO KEEP THEM FROM RISING UP
AGAINST HIM
14.
SOME WOMEN SUCCEEDED DESPITE INTERVENTION OF THEIR
FAMILIES & THEIR LORD IN ACTING INDEPENDENTLY
15.
MATILDA, COUNTESS OF TUSCANY FOUGHT EMPEROR & POPES
16.
EVEN MARRYING DUKE OF BAVARIA MANY YRS HER JUNIOR &
SWORN ENEMY OF EMPEROR
ERMENGARDE
1.
EXAMPLE OF POWERFUL NOBLE WOMAN
2.
12TH C VISCOUNTESS OF NARBONNE
3.
RULED SMALL TERRITORY IN SE FRANCE
4.
SHE INHERITED HER TITLE FROM HER FATHER
5.
PERSONALLY SHE LED HER TROOPS IN STRUGGLES AGAINST COUNT
OF TOULOUSE
a.
HER FEUDAL OVERLORD
b.
WHO HAD ATTEMPTED TO SEIZE HER VISCOUNTY
6.
ALTHOUGH ERMENGARDE MARRIED TWICE
7.
NEITHER HUSBAND SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN ALLOWED ANY SHARE IN
GOVT OF NARBONNE
8.
DURING HER 50 YRS OF RULE SHE KEPT PEACE WITH HER
IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORS
9.
SIGNED AGREEMENTS WITH BOTH GENOA & PISA WHICH
PROTECTED NARBONNE'S COMMERCE & MERCHANTS
10.
ALSO SHE RENOWNED FOR PRESIDING OVER ONE OF MOST
BRILLIANT COURTS OF LANGUEDOC
11.
HISTORIANS OF LANGUEDOC WHO CHRONICLED HER
ACHIEVEMENTS CLAIMED SHE
a.
SHE DISTINGUISHED HERSELF NOT LESS BY MASCULINE
VIRTUES THAN BY THOSE PROPER TO HER SEX,AND BY THE
WISDOM OF HER GOVERNMENT
ISABELLA DE FORTIBUS
1.
SHE DID NOT HAVE ANY APPARENT POLITICAL POWER
2.
BUT SHE WAS RICHEST WOMAN IN 13TH C. ENGLAND
a.
& AMONG 10 WEALTHIEST BARONS
3.
MUCH EXTANT RECORDS OF HER
a.
PAPER WORK ABOUT HER ESTATES
b.
COURT RECORDS SHOWING HER NUMEROUS LITIGATIONS
4.
BY TIME 25 YEARS OLD WIDOW
5.
STORIES ABOUT HER INVOLVEMENT IN VARIOUS LAND
TRANSACTIONS, ETC. STUFF OF NOVELS
(2)
D.
E.
V.
QUEENS OR ROYAL WOMEN IN THE MIDDLE AGES
A.
INTRODUCTION
1.
MEDIEVAL QUEENS RANGED FROM VIVID PERSONALITIES TO ONES
LITTLE KNOWN
2.
BUT NO QUEEN WAS STEREOTYPICAL
3.
MANY QUEENS EXTREMELY INFLUENTIAL
4.
COULD BE MUCH COURT INTRIGUE IF QUEEN POWERFUL IN HER
OWN RIGHT
B.
9
a.
PEOPLE WOULD FLOCK TO HER SIDE TO WIN FAVORS
5.
SOME QUEENS SERVED AS REGENT FOR THEIR YOUNG SON
6.
& REMAINED POWERFUL EVEN AFTER THEIR SON OF AGE
a.
BLANCHE OF CASTILE
b.
MARRIED TO KING OF FRANCE
c.
SON KNOWN AS ST. LOUIS
7.
BUT NORMALLY QUEENS FROM 12TH TO 15TH CENTURIES DID NOT
EXERCISE INDEPENDENT POWER
a.
CHARACTERIZING ROYAL CONSORTS OF EARLIER M.A.
8.
AS ROYAL COURTS BECAME MORE COMPLEX
9.
& REQUIRED MORE ORGANIZATION
a.
BUREAUCRACY
b.
ADVISORS
c.
PARLIAMENTS DEVELOPED
10.
QUEEN TENDED TO LOSE HER POWER
11.
SINCE POWER FLOWED TO THESE NEW OFFICIALS WHO WERE MEN
12.
LATER MIDDLE AGES AS MEDIEVAL STATES BEGAN IDENTIFYING AS
INDIVIDUAL NATIONS
13.
FOREIGN QUEENS OFTEN HANDICAPPED BY THEIR BEING FROM
ANOTHER COUNTRY
a.
AS MUCH INTERMARRIAGE AMONG RULERS & THEIR HEIRS
FROM
b.
ENGLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY AREAS & ITALIAN AREAS
14.
NEVERTHELESS IN HIERARCHICAL SOCIAL STRUCTURE OF TIME
15.
QUEEN STILL REPRESENTED HIGHEST RANK & POSITION OPEN TO
WOMAN
16.
HER SPECIAL PLACE IN SOCIETY GENERALLY RECOGNIZED
17.
FAVORITE TITLE OF VIRGIN MARY WAS "QUEEN OF HEAVEN"
DURING HIGH & LATE MIDDLE AGES
BY HIGH MIDDLE AGES QUEEN'S PRIMARY ROLE
1.
TO ENSURE MALE HEIR TO THRONE
2.
NECESSARY TO ENSURE PEACEFUL TRANSFERENCE OF POWER
FROM ONE GENERATION TO NEXT
3.
SHADES OF PRINCESS DIANA & CHARLES
4.
WHERE IN EARLY MIDDLE AGES KINGS MORE OFTEN ELECTED FROM
MOST POWERFUL & WEALTHY FAMILIES
5.
NOW KINGS WILL SUCCEED TO OFFICE FOLLOWING BLOOD LINES
a.
FIRST BORN SON
6.
MANY TIMES IN HIGH & LATE M.A. WHEN HEIR NOT ADULT
7.
CIVIL WARS WILL BE FOUGHT
a.
11TH C. ENGLAND EMPRESS MATILDA AS ONLY SURVIVING
CHILD OF HENRY I
b.
BATTLED STEPHEN FOR THRONE,
(1)
STEPHEN SEIZED THRONE
(2)
HE WAS HENRY'S NEPHEW & NEAREST MALE HEIR
8.
STEPHEN;S WIFE QUEEN MATILDA OF BOULOGNE VALIANT
MILITARY LEADER
a.
WISE ENOUGH TO GAIN SUPPORT OF LONDON POPULACE
(1)
EMPRESS MATILDA DID NOT
b.
WHILE STEPHEN IN PRISON HIS WIFE RALLIED HIS ARMY &
GOT HER HUSBAND'S RELEASE
10
BUT STEPHEN WEAKER THAN EITHER HIS WIFE OR HIS FEMALE
RIVAL MATILDA
a.
WAR OF ROSES LATE 15TH C. SIMILAR PROBLEM
10.
ALSO DURING HIGH & LATE MIDDLE AGES MARRIAGES
CONTINUALLY BEING ARRANGED BETWEEN ROYAL FAMILIES OF
ENGLAND & FRANCE
11.
IN HOPES OF ENDING HOSTILITIES BETWEEN 2 KINGDOMS
12.
EVENTUALLY 100 YEARS WAR WILL BE FOUGHT BETWEEN 2
COUNTRIES
a.
TO SORT OUT REAL ESTATE & RIGHTFUL HEIR TO THRONE
SOURCES OF QUEEN'S POWER
1.
A LOT OF QUEEN'S POWER CAME FROM HER POSITION & WEALTH
2.
PRIOR TO HER MARRIAGE TO KING OR PROSPECTIVE KING
3.
IF SHE HEIRESS IN FRANCE, SHE RETAINED HER RIGHTS OVER
PROPERTY
a.
EVEN AFTER MARRIAGE
4.
WHEREAS IN ENGLAND, HER HUSBAND TOOK OVER CONTROL OF
HER PROPERTY
5.
QUEENS EXPECTED TO BE BOTH GENEROUS & USEFUL IN REGARD
TO WORKS OF CHARITY
6.
QUEENS WOULD FOUND HOSPITALS, NUNNERIES
7.
& IN CASE OF MATILDA, WIFE OF HENRY I OF ENGLAND
8.
FIRST PUBLIC LAVATORIES IN CITY ON PUBLIC WHARFS BUILT BY
HER
WHAT DID MEN THINK OF WOMEN RULERS?
1.
WIVES TO BE
a.
OBEDIENT, CHASTE, SWEET-TEMPERED, PIOUS & KIND,
COURAGE & WISDOM
2.
WHEN MONARCHS DID NOT NEED REGENTS
a.
THEY STROVE TO KEEP THEM OUT OF GOVERNMENT
BUSINESS
b.
QUEENS LIKE PHILIPPA OF HAINAULT KEPT BUSY WITH
OUTSIDE INTERESTS
3.
MEN CITED VARIETY OF REASONS FOR THEIR PREJUDICES AGAINST
WOMEN RULERS
a.
WOMEN TOO EMOTIONAL & APT TO LET THEIR HEARTS RULE
FOR THEM
b.
WOMEN LACKED FIRMNESS
c.
SIMPLY TOO INCOMPETENT TO GOVERN WELL
4.
SO SOME OF PLOYS MEN USED WAS TO FORCE HEIRESS TO WED
MAN WHO COULD REIGN IN WOMAN'S STEAD
5.
OR REPLACE HER ON THRONE WITH MALE LIKE STEPHEN &
MATILDA
6.
BUT LIKE THEIR MASCULINE COUNTERPARTS
7.
WOMEN DISPLAYED WIDE VARIETY OF GOVERNING STYLES &
SKILLS
8.
LIKE POWERFUL ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE
9.
C.
D.
VI.
EXAMPLES OF POWERFUL QUEENS
A.
ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE (DIED 1204)
1.
WIFE OF 2 KINGS
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
11
MOTHER OF 2 KINGS
FAMOUS DURING HER LIFETIME & NOW
AT LEAST 4 BIOGRAPHIES OF HER
SHE HEIRESS TO HER FATHER'S VAST DUCHY OF AQUITAINE
FORCED TO MARRY FUTURE LOUIS VII OF FRANCE C 1136
YOUNG VIVACIOUS, FORCEFUL & FLIRTATIOUS
SHE INCOMPATIBLE WITH HER PIOUS, SERIOUS HUSBAND
WHILE ON CRUSADE TOGETHER AT ANTIOCH IN 1147
RUMORED SHE COMMITTED ADULTERY WITH HER UNCLE
EVIDENCE SHE ORCHESTRATED HER ANNULMENT TO HER FIRST
HUSBAND LOUIS VII
SO SHE COULD MARRY HENRY PLANTAGENET
a.
WHO BECAME KING OF ENGLAND 2 YRS LATER
WHILE SHE HAD ONLY 2 DAUGHTERS BY LOUIS VII
SHE HAD 5 SONS & 3 DAUGHTERS BY HENRY
a.
LAST ONE JOHN BORN WHEN SHE 45
DURING EARLY YEARS OF REIGN ELEANOR OFTEN INVOLVED IN
AFFAIRS OF STATE
IN FACT SHE COMPETENT ADMINISTRATOR, ADVISOR, SKILLFUL
NEGOTIATOR
DURING HER LONG LIFETIME
a.
3 TIMES LENGTH OF AVERAGE MEDIEVAL WOMAN'S LIFESPAN
b.
SHE PERSONALLY COVERED NEARLY GAMUT OF
POSSIBILITIES
(1)
FOR FEMININE POLITICAL INFLUENCE
(2)
& GOVERNMENTAL ROLES
FREQUENTLY SERVED AS REGENT WHEN HENRY TOURING HIS
CONTINENTAL LANDS
AFTER 10+ YEARS OF MARRIAGE, THEIR RELATIONSHIP COOLED
& ELEANOR PUT HER ENERGIES INTO FURTHERING HER CHILDRENS'
INTERESTS
a.
EVEN AGAINST THEIR FATHER
HER NB SHARE IN OLDEST SON'S REBELLION MORE THAN HENRY
COULD STOMACH
& FROM 1174 UNTIL HENRY'S DEATH IN 1189 SHE KEPT UNDER
CLOSE WATCH EITHER IN FRANCE OR ENGLAND
LION IN WINTER WITH KATHERINE HEPBURN & PETER O"TOOLE
PORTRAYS ELEANOR, ETC
AFTER HENRY;S DEATH ELEANOR AT AGE 67 REGENT FOR RICHARD
& SECURED RANSOM WHEN RICHARD CAPTURED ON WAY HOME
FROM HOLY LAND CRUSADE
WHEN 77 AIDED JOHN'S ACCESSION TO ENGLISH THRONE
BY ENSURING LOYALTY OF HER DUCHY OF AQUITAINE
BUT ALSO FOILED INTRIGUES OF ARTHUR OF BRITTANY
a.
HER GRANDSON BUT HER SON'S RIVAL
BY 1200 EIGHT OF ELEANOR'S 10 CHILDREN HAD PREDECEASED HER
BUT OLD QUEEN STILL ALERT & POLITICALLY ASTUTE TO JOURNEY
PERSONALLY OVER PYRENEES IN WINTER TO VISIT HER DAUGHTER
AT COURT OF CASTILE
& ARRANGE ANOTHER MARRIAGE
a.
OF HER GRANDDAUGHTER
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
12
SHE CHOSE YOUNGER OF 2 GRANDDAUGHTERS BLANCHE TO
BECOME WIFE OF FUTURE ST. LOUIS OF FRANCE
ELEANOR DIED AT FONTEVRAULT IN 1204
BURIED IN NUN'S HABIT
NOT SURE IF EFFIGY A REAL LIKENESS
BUT IT IS WONDERFUL REMINDER OF ELEANOR'S MORE THAN HALF
CENTURY OF POLITICAL INTRIGUES & MACHINATIONS
a.
TO CONTROL DESTINY OF FRANCE & ENGLAND