Medieval women: “Highly visible, often obscured” or hidden in plain sight?
Lecture by Ellie Woodacre
Given online for the BeBold History Network on November 2, 2023
Abstract: As we all know, women and women’s history have been largely sidelined in the curriculum. We are all familiar with well-known royal women like Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria and Eleanor of Aquitaine, yet focusing on a few famous examples can reinforce the idea that they were ‘exceptional’ women who were able to exercise power as an anomaly in a man’s world. Yet the latest research on queenship and royal women shows us that women were regularly exercising power and authority on every continent and in every culture. There are so many women whose lives are interesting and give us a window into the wider social and political landscape that they lived in. This talk will offer new perspectives on queenship as well as examples of historical figures which can enrich the curriculum and ideas on how we can collectively enhance the visibility of women in the historical narrative.
Medieval women: “Highly visible, often obscured” or hidden in plain sight?
Lecture by Ellie Woodacre
Given online for the BeBold History Network on November 2, 2023
Abstract: As we all know, women and women’s history have been largely sidelined in the curriculum. We are all familiar with well-known royal women like Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria and Eleanor of Aquitaine, yet focusing on a few famous examples can reinforce the idea that they were ‘exceptional’ women who were able to exercise power as an anomaly in a man’s world. Yet the latest research on queenship and royal women shows us that women were regularly exercising power and authority on every continent and in every culture. There are so many women whose lives are interesting and give us a window into the wider social and political landscape that they lived in. This talk will offer new perspectives on queenship as well as examples of historical figures which can enrich the curriculum and ideas on how we can collectively enhance the visibility of women in the historical narrative.
Dr Ellie Woodacre is a Reader of Medieval History at Winchester University. She has published several books and articles on medieval Queenship including Joan of Navarre: Infant, Duchess, Queen, Witch?
Top Image: British Library MS Royal 16 G. V, f.56
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