Aristocratic Women in Medieval Europe 500-1250

Course Description

Often on the basis of texts written by women, this seminar examines the diverse lived experiences and multiple contributions of aristocratic women in medieval society, politics & religious life, c.500-1250. Whilst acknowledging the prevailing antifeminism of the age, emphasis is nonetheless placed on the complex & changing figurings of gender in these centuries, as well as on the domestic core of much political activity that allowed aristocratic women to play important 'public' roles. Women to be examined in some detail might include Radegund, Dhuoda, Hrotsvita of Gandersheim, Adela of Blois, Heloise, Hildegard of Bingen and various countesses & queens.

By the end of this seminar, students should be able to:
- Compile and format a bibliography of primary and secondary sources for an aspect of the history of aristocratic women in medieval European society.
- Summarise the historiography on aristocratic women in medieval Euroepan society and evaluate conflicting views with reference to primary sources.
- Communicate an historical argument orally.
- Carry out a substantial independent research project based on primary sources about aristocratic women in medieval European society and present findings in a scholarly manner.
-Critique widely held myths about aristorcatic women in medieval European society with reference to contemporary evidence and established facts.

Several required primary sources are in a course booklet to be purchased.
Required secondary literature will in part be drawn from selected articles in collections like:
D. Baker, ed., _Medieval Women_ (1978)
M. Erler & M. Kowaleski, eds., _Women and Power in the Middle Ages_, 1st ed. (1988)
B. Newman, _From Virile Woman to WomanChrist_ (1995)
T. Evergates, ed., _Aristorcratic Women in Medieval France_ (Philadelphia, 1999)
C. Meek & C. Lawless, ed., _Studies on Medieval & Early Modern Women 4: Victims or
Viragos?_ (Dublin, 2005)