The Lives of Women

Book excerpt: While they lived in a world often regarded as oppressive and restricted, the tales of how women fared in the medieval era actually offer a more nuanced take. In this book, the roles that women took as members of their communities, within their families, and within society at large are explored with vivid imagery and attention to rich historical sources. It is sure to expand readers' understanding of the complexity of medieval women, who far beyond simply being housewives, took central roles in agriculture, trade, craftsmanship, religious and literary life, and much more.