Women and Power Flashcards
What was the general view of women in positions of public power?
Public authority was of the male domain. Often it was the law that women couldn’t participate and there was the belief that women were weak and irrational. This became even more so as governments grew more bureaucratic.
What positions of power did non-nobel women have?
Not many, and not very powerful. Rarely the held a position in a guild, confraternity, or town government. Often women owed their position to their husbands. Midwives held positions in several German towns, and several were supervisors of weights and measures, gates, towers, tolls, and the sale of salt.
What person was the exception to the rule of non-noble women in power?
Joan of Arc, who bridge the divide between religious and secular life. Obviously things ended badly for her when she was betrayed to the English and burned at the stake. Women with a religious message like her with open to charges of sorcery.
What depended on the exercise of power by royal and noble women?
First law and custom, then family circumstances. Some were in charge in abscence of their husbands, other inherited great estates. If she had grown sons, she might not have much power at all. Women exercised their power in the household and courts, by coercion and patronage.
Which countries had women in positions of power due to their ability to inherit and received a landed dower? Where not?
England, France, Low Countries.
Northern Italy.
What was the purpose of marriage among noblewomen?
Mostly to seal an alliance or secure an inheritance if the lady in question was an heiress. Thus, women married young and had little say in who they were to marry. Royal marriages often followed a peace treaty between two countries to seal it.
What problems might a married noblewoman face in her new home?
She lived away from her family and often had only a few servants of her own that she could bring with her. She was very young and her husband often already had a mistress. Her mother-in-law could also be jealous and cause problems for her. She may not speak the same language or dialect as everyone who surrounded her.
What were the duties of a noblewoman -wife
Piety was one -long as her husband was still #1. Mass attendance, giving alms, etc were good. She gave patronage, offices, clerical benefices, and presents to people working in her household who deserved them.. She administered lands and was the go between for family, household, tenants and subjects for her husband. She should also have an active social life, hostings feasts and providing general hospitality or being a host or guest at jousts, tournaments, banquets and balls - all to promote her family and increase influence.
What was absolutely crucial in the early years of marriage?
To establish an heir, preferably multiple male heirs to secure the family line.
What might a wife do if her husband was long away at war or captured?
Often she would take over his responsibilities, raising money for ransom, running castles, raised money and soldiers for war, were involved diplomatically.
What difference were there between the queen and king coronation?
Her inferiority to the king was clear. The king remained seated during the ceremony. The king was annointed with holy chrism, sent from “heaven” for the baptism of Clois. The queen was annointed with consecrated oil on the head and breast, assuring her spiritual renewal and fertility - the ceremony reinforced her marriage vows. She had a smaller throne and scepter. She wasn’t acclaimed when she was crowned.
What was the duty of a Queen?
Having children - sons especially. Participating in the ceremonial life at court, showing off the power and prestige of the royal family at home and abroad. She was expected to be pious and just and intercede with the king when asked to. She should entertain foreign rulers when they visited. Preside over jousts and tournaments
What amount of power did a queen have while her husband lived?
Quite limited. She had no formal role on the king’s council and had to expert influence through her household, through religious or charitable actions and by making her wishes known, even if they may not be enforced.
When might a queen gain some authority when her husband lived?
If he was away at war or perhaps captured. If he had become incapcitated. If she were made regent
