Women In Medieval Society

Medieval Women “Women, can’t live with them, can’t live without them.” Nearly everybody has heard this quote by the famous Dutch scholar Desiderius Erasmus. It has become a very famous quote and with good reason. Without women, modern society would not exist. We would not have windshield wipers, disposable diapers, the dishwasher, or even the board game Monopoly. Women are an essential part of society. But they were not always that way. Before modern times, women were treated like property; only useful in taking care of the children and keeping the home organized. But as the centuries continue, women have made successful strides in becoming just as useful as men. In medieval society, which lasted from the 5th century all the way to the 15th

In the Apostle Paul’s writings, he repeated many times that men had more authority over women (Bovey). It was believed that women were, in all aspects, weaker than men (Kagan et al 215). In medieval society, the “original sin” from the Bible was also emphasized. The “original sin” was that Eve was responsible for Adam eating the fruit from the forbidden tree. Because of this, women were thought to be the reason that men sinned and inferior to men. They were also more likely to be tempted into sin and tempt men into sin (Bovey). Another part of the Adam and Eve story was that Eve was created from part of Adam’s rib. This part of the Adam and Eve story was also used to say that women were created to stand by men’s side as his partner and equal. The church helped to protect women’s image in this regard (Kagan et al 217). The Virgin Mary also protected a woman’s image. Since the Virgin Mary was seen as a powerful saint who was a model for purity and motherhood, she contrasted Eve’s sins and made women into a more positive image (Bovey). Men also controlled women’s lives. If a women did not marry, then the man of the house that she lived in, usually a father or a different relative, told her what to do (Trueman). Women in medieval society were held to a biblical image that was created by the Apostle Paul, Eve, and the Virgin Mary, and were controlled by

First of all, they were expected to work alongside their husbands in whatever trade field they were in, as well as being a wife and mother. Young peasant girls started apprentices and gained skills just like the boys did. If a girl from a middle class family got married, usually between the ages of 20-25, they were expected to continue their trade. Middle class women would open up their shop next to their husbands, or become an assistant to their husband in his shop (Kagan et al 218). Women could have any common job that a man could have. However, they were paid less. Depending on the job, they would get paid between 2-3 pence less than what a man would get paid for the same job. Women would never complain about it because it was a male dominated society (Trueman). One job that only women did was make clothing. Women wore long, simple garments that looked like nightgowns from modern times. Clothing was made out of wool for both genders (Lambert). The best job that a lower class woman could have was to work as a servant or wet nurse for an upper class women. Then they at least would not have to work outside in the harsh conditions of winter (Trueman). Women were also excluded from jobs such as doctors, teachers, and lawyers. They could not go to school to continue their education (Kagan et al 218). Women from lower classes rarely had any leisure time. They had to take care of