By Eleanor Franzen Beowulf is not what one might call a feminine poem. The women whose lives and sufferings are described within it are not the immediate focus. No one thinks of the agony of Hildeburh or the canny political maneuverings of Wealhtheow when they think of Beowulf. The Beowulf-poet, particularly in his exploitation and … Continue reading
By Raffaella Tommassi. Clare of Assisi can be seen as one of the most influential women in the Middle Ages, at the forefront of the fight to ensure a true female religious mendicancy. Indeed, Pope Innocent IV agreed with me, stopping the Friars Minor from saying the office of the dead during her funeral and … Continue reading
By Victor Khadem In her last will and testament, Isabel de Beauchamp, Countess of Warwick directed her executors as to how her tomb should be constructed: ‘My Image to be made all naked, and no thyn on my hede but myn here cast bakwardys, and of the gretnes and of the fascyon lyke the mesure … Continue reading
By Diana Jeske During her lifetime and beyond, Heloise captured hearts. Her intellectual brilliance in life attracted the love of the most famous philosopher of the day, Peter Abelard, and the passion revealed in her later letters to him has captivated scholars, from Petrarch to twenty-first century academics, ever since. Born, most likely, in … Continue reading
By Kate Manns Pre-medieval texts and ancient manuscripts provided reference for early physicians and therapists, detailing discoveries from anatomy to diagnosis and treatment. For nearly five hundred years, The Trotulawas the only truly comprehensive compendium of female and paediatric medicine in this genre. Believed to be written in the early twelfth century; mystery and controversy … Continue reading
By Charlotte King Saint Clare was born in the small northern Italian town of Assisi in 1194 to a noble, wealthy family. When she was 18 she resisted pressure from her family to marry and secretly ran away to join St Francis and his followers. She was unable to follow the itinerant lifestyle of the … Continue reading
By Sophie Johnston There has been a resurgence of interest in the figure of Hildegard of Bingen, particularly in female religious circles. But despite increased knowledge of her ecstatic religious visions and contribution to medieval music, few are aware that Hildegard also wrote extensively on the subjects of medicine and natural science. These ‘scientific’ works … Continue reading
