The British Library has opened a major exhibition: Medieval Women: In Their Own Words. Running until March, it brings together over 140 rare items that reveal the untold stories of medieval women, showcasing their achievements across various spheres of life, from religion and politics to literature and healthcare.
Among the treasures on display will be a letter signed by Joan of Arc—making its first-ever appearance outside France—alongside a manuscript overseen by Christine de Pizan, Europe’s first professional female author, and the oldest surviving Valentine’s Day letter. The exhibition paints a vivid picture of women from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and social classes between 1100 and 1500, presenting their lives in unprecedented detail.
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More than just a visual exhibit, Medieval Women promises to immerse visitors with films, music, and digital interactives that transport them into the medieval world. There are even four immersive fragrance installations that evoke different scents and experiences from medieval life. Two fragrances, a hair perfume and a breath freshener, are based on recipes from a 13th-century text.
Seal impression of Queen Isabella, consort to King Edward II of England – Photo by Sandra Alvarez / Medievalists.net
“Through over 140 amazing objects, Medieval Women highlights the importance of original manuscripts, documents, printed books and artefacts in recovering the lives of women in the past,” says Eleanor Jackson, Lead Curator of Medieval Women at the British Library. “While their stories have been traditionally overlooked, this exhibition restores women to their central place in history and reveals the vital contributions that they have made to our society.”
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Among the highlights of the exhibition are:
Never before displayed outside France, an original letter from Joan of Arc to the citizens of Riom in 1429, requesting that they provide her with military aid, which contains the earliest known example of Joan’s signature
The Book of the Queen, by Christine de Pizan, the first professional woman author in Europe, compiled circa 1410-1414
Cross of Sybilla of Flanders, a 12th-century ivory carving on loan from the Louvre in Paris. Sybilla acted as regent while her husband fought in the Crusades, then went on Crusade herself, separated from her husband and joined a convent in Bethany
A birthing girdle from the early 15th century, inscribed with prayers and charms that promise a quick and painless delivery
The book Beḥinat Olam Mantua, published between 1476 and 1480 by Estellina Conat, she was the first recorded woman to print a book in Hebrew and it was the first recorded book printed by a woman under her own name
The Book of Margery Kempe, probably written around 1438, the only surviving copy of the earliest known autobiography in English, which chronicles her life as a female mystic
The oldest surviving Valentine’s Day letter in the English language, sent by Margery Brews in 1477
The largest hoard of medieval gold coins ever discovered in Britain, probably representing the fundraising efforts of Margaret of Anjou, who led the Lancastrian side in the Wars of the Roses on behalf of her husband, King Henry VI of England.
15th-century copy of Mirror of Ladies – Photo by Sandra Alvarez / Medievalists.net
There is also a season of in-person and online events inspired by the exhibition, including a day-long medieval extravaganza from the makers of the popular Hist Fest. There will also be events with award-winning writers Kate Mosse, Philippa Gregory and Lauren Groff exploring how the medieval period has influenced their own work and the stories that feature in the exhibition. Dr Hetta Howes from City, University of London and writer Helen Carr will be re-assessing preconceived ideas about the lives of medieval European women while historian Dr Janina Ramirez, author of the best-selling Femina, will be exploring chivalry in the Middle Ages, beauty journalist and broadcaster Anita Bhagwandas, Professor Jill Burke from University of Edinburgh and Amber Butchart from London College of Fashion will discuss the history of cosmetics and fragrances from the medieval period with the opportunity to sample medieval scents.
14th-century comb from Italy. Photo by Sandra Alvarez / Medievalists.net
Other events include a special live performance from composer and multi-instrumentalist Laura Cannell, whose new album Rituals of Hildegard Reimagined includes the reconstructed music of Hildegard von Bingen, followed by a performance by Gazelle Twin and the London Symphony Orchestra, with a London Literary Salon workshop on Chaucer and many more.
The exhibition’s accompanying book, Medieval Women: Voices & Visions, edited by Eleanor Jackson and Julian Harrison, offers expert essays and some 40 spotlight studies
Medieval Women: In Their Own Words runs at the British Library from 25 October to 2 March 2025. Click here to learn more.
The British Library has opened a major exhibition: Medieval Women: In Their Own Words. Running until March, it brings together over 140 rare items that reveal the untold stories of medieval women, showcasing their achievements across various spheres of life, from religion and politics to literature and healthcare.
Among the treasures on display will be a letter signed by Joan of Arc—making its first-ever appearance outside France—alongside a manuscript overseen by Christine de Pizan, Europe’s first professional female author, and the oldest surviving Valentine’s Day letter. The exhibition paints a vivid picture of women from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and social classes between 1100 and 1500, presenting their lives in unprecedented detail.
More than just a visual exhibit, Medieval Women promises to immerse visitors with films, music, and digital interactives that transport them into the medieval world. There are even four immersive fragrance installations that evoke different scents and experiences from medieval life. Two fragrances, a hair perfume and a breath freshener, are based on recipes from a 13th-century text.
“Through over 140 amazing objects, Medieval Women highlights the importance of original manuscripts, documents, printed books and artefacts in recovering the lives of women in the past,” says Eleanor Jackson, Lead Curator of Medieval Women at the British Library. “While their stories have been traditionally overlooked, this exhibition restores women to their central place in history and reveals the vital contributions that they have made to our society.”
Among the highlights of the exhibition are:
There is also a season of in-person and online events inspired by the exhibition, including a day-long medieval extravaganza from the makers of the popular Hist Fest. There will also be events with award-winning writers Kate Mosse, Philippa Gregory and Lauren Groff exploring how the medieval period has influenced their own work and the stories that feature in the exhibition. Dr Hetta Howes from City, University of London and writer Helen Carr will be re-assessing preconceived ideas about the lives of medieval European women while historian Dr Janina Ramirez, author of the best-selling Femina, will be exploring chivalry in the Middle Ages, beauty journalist and broadcaster Anita Bhagwandas, Professor Jill Burke from University of Edinburgh and Amber Butchart from London College of Fashion will discuss the history of cosmetics and fragrances from the medieval period with the opportunity to sample medieval scents.
Other events include a special live performance from composer and multi-instrumentalist Laura Cannell, whose new album Rituals of Hildegard Reimagined includes the reconstructed music of Hildegard von Bingen, followed by a performance by Gazelle Twin and the London Symphony Orchestra, with a London Literary Salon workshop on Chaucer and many more.
The exhibition’s accompanying book, Medieval Women: Voices & Visions, edited by Eleanor Jackson and Julian Harrison, offers expert essays and some 40 spotlight studies
Medieval Women: In Their Own Words runs at the British Library from 25 October to 2 March 2025. Click here to learn more.
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