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Women in the Middle Ages: The Lives of Real Women in a Vibrant Age of Transition (Medieval Life) Kindle Edition

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 219 ratings

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An ambitious work that traces the stories and fates of women in Medieval Europe over the course of a millennium. “A wealth of solid information.” —The New York Times

Medieval history is often written as a series of battles and territorial shifts. But the essential contributions of women during this period have been too often relegated to the dustbin of history. In 
Women in the Middle Ages, Frances and Joseph Gies reclaim this lost history, in a lively historical survey that charts the evolution of women’s roles throughout the period, and profiles eight individual women in depth. We learn of Hildegarde of Bingen, an abbess who was a noted composer and founded two monasteries; of Eleanor de Montfort, a 13th-century Princess of Wales who was captured by Edward I and held as a political prisoner for three years; and women of somewhat more modest means, such as the spouse of an Italian merchant, and a peasant’s wife.

Drawing upon their various stories, talented historians Frances and Joseph Gies—whose books were used by George R. R. Martin in his research for 
Game of Thrones—offer a kaleidoscopic view of the lives of women throughout this tumultuous period.

“[The Gieses] specialize in making the Middle Ages accessible to nonspecialists.” —The New Yorker
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Many a quaint and amusing side, as well as a wealth of solid information.""--New York Times"

From the Back Cover

The bestselling chroniclers of medieval life Frances and Joseph Gies trace the stories and fates of women in medieval Europe over the course of a millennium.

Medieval history is often written as a series of battles and territorial shifts. But the essential contributions of women during this period have too often been relegated to the dustbin of history. In Women in the Middle Ages, Frances and Joseph Gies reclaim this lost history in a lively historical survey that charts the evolution of women's roles through this period and profiles eight individual women in depth. We learn of Hildegarde of Bingen, a noted composer and abbess who founded two monasteries; Eleanor de Montfort, a thirteenth-century Princess of Wales who was captured by Edward I and held as a political prisoner for three years; and women of somewhat more modest means, such as the spouse of an Italian merchant and a peasant's wife.

Drawing upon their various stories, talented historians Frances and Joseph Gies–whose books were used by George R. R. Martin in his research for Game of Thrones–offer a kaleidoscopic view of the lives of women throughout this tumultuous period.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B003P2VO46
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins e-books (November 30, 2010)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 30, 2010
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 34748 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 300 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 219 ratings

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Frances Gies
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Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
219 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book an interesting and enjoyable read. They appreciate the well-researched information on women's lives during the Middle Ages. The book provides a historical glimpse into varied social and economic circumstances, including clever and educated women.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

16 customers mention "Readability"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and well-written. They describe it as a quick, interesting read that covers an under-researched topic. The format is enjoyable and the book is concise.

"wonderfully written and gave me a lot of new insight about the problems women aced for a long time" Read more

"...Women in the Middle Ages is no exception. A concise book it starts with a working definition of the Middle Ages..." Read more

"...I have found it to be informational, applicable, interesting read, high lighting a few women that happen to be my ancestors. Win Win!..." Read more

"I am loving this book. I think it is important and relevant information and all women should read it...." Read more

11 customers mention "Information quality"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and interesting for those interested in women's lives or medieval times. They appreciate the well-researched and written content. The book provides a good summary of the lives of women during that period, making learning fun.

"wonderfully written and gave me a lot of new insight about the problems women aced for a long time" Read more

"...by this couple; always entertaining, always educational, they do their research, combine it with their sound knowledge of the era or people they are..." Read more

"...I have found it to be informational, applicable, interesting read, high lighting a few women that happen to be my ancestors. Win Win!..." Read more

"I am loving this book. I think it is important and relevant information and all women should read it...." Read more

5 customers mention "Era"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's coverage of women in varied social and economic circumstances. They find it informative, with examples of women from each class. The historical perspective provides a glimpse into their daily lives, enmities, private and public relationships, and ambitions. The biographical chapters are considered better for presenting these aspects.

"...Hildegarde of Bingen, one of the most highly educated and clever women of the Middle Ages, an Abbess; the magnificent Queen Blanche of Castille a..." Read more

"...But this book, although it seems to relate to higher classed women, gives a feel for the every day work in a women's life...." Read more

"...The historical peak into women of varied social and economic circumstances was informative and entertaining...." Read more

"...Complete with examples of women in each class. A great read." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2018
    wonderfully written and gave me a lot of new insight about the problems women aced for a long time
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2013
    I love anything written by this couple; always entertaining, always educational, they do their research, combine it with their sound knowledge of the era or people they are writing about and produce something that history buffs, writers, or just those with a healthy curiousity about the past will thoroughly enjoy.
    Women in the Middle Ages is no exception. A concise book it starts with a working definition of the Middle Ages (around 600AD to the end of the Fourteenth Century) before explaining popular misconceptions and some facts about the role women played in these fraught and fascinating times. They then explain the primary models against which women were measured – Eve and Mary – sinner and saint, mother and whore, basically. Reductive they might be and yet they set the framework against which women lived, worked, loved, worshipped, ruled, and died.
    The second part explores specific women, using contemporary sources, in more detail. We are introduced to (or reacquainted with) Hildegarde of Bingen, one of the most highly educated and clever women of the Middle Ages, an Abbess; the magnificent Queen Blanche of Castille a canny ruler who, despite enemies seeking to capture her throne managed to rule beside her husband and later, as a regent, handling the power thrust upon her with courage and intelligence; Eleanor of Montefort, sister to Henry III, devoted mother, wife to the courtier and warrior Simon de Montefort (their relationship is beautifully and sympathetically explored by Sharon Kay Penman who, though working in fiction does extensive research and she paints a softer portrait of Eleanor), and someone very aware of and prepared to fight for her rights. We also meet Agnes Patiniere of Douai, a woman who lived in a city and who had a successful trade, negotiating the politics of the guilds. Then there’s Margherita Datini, an Italian woman who became literate later in life, helped run her husband’s business and avoided succumbing to the plague. Finally, there’s Margaret Paston, member of one of the most successful families of the Middle Ages who rose from crofters to wealthy landowners (and later, Earls) and who are survived by abundant correspondence (the book of their letters, The Pastons, is enthralling) that reveals their daily lives, enmities, private and more public relationships and even their ambitions for themselves and each other.
    While it seems sad that there are so few women to draw on in order to explore their diverse roles over such a long stretch of time, when considering the division that occurred in medieval lives – men = public, women= private, and the fact most females were confined to domestic space, it’s fortunate we have anything. The Gies’ also ensure they compare and contrast the women they discuss in relation to place and class and draw analogies with literature (eg. Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales) as well demonstrating how women’s role altered (for better and worse) over time.
    The contradictions in women’s roles are evident in this book, as is how women worked within and against popular and religious expectations, how they managed, sometimes against impossible odds, to find and create their own spaces and lives – some more successful than others.
    Overall, this was an interesting and enjoyable read.
    49 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2016
    Makes you appreciate your time in history!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2013
    The Gies have written several books on teh Middle Ages and if this is an area of study for you I would encourage you to read them. If I could give them a 10 I would!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2016
    I am a genealogist and I'm researching the medieval period as it applied to my relatives. I have found very few books with women being represented as anything other than the wife who stayed home while families are out at war. But this book, although it seems to relate to higher classed women, gives a feel for the every day work in a women's life. I have found it to be informational, applicable, interesting read, high lighting a few women that happen to be my ancestors. Win Win! I look forward to reading this book, and look forward to it each night. Well written, enjoyable format.
    This item was free or discounted for my review.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2018
    I am loving this book. I think it is important and relevant information and all women should read it. Being aware of the awful, misogynistic practices throughout the ages lets us see how and why they are so ingrained that still persist to this day.
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2019
    I liked this book. It was a good quick read on an oft over looked segment of middle ages life. The historical peak into women of varied social and economic circumstances was informative and entertaining. I recommend this book to anyone wishing to understand this often overlooked historical segment in an easy to read book. Thank you for a good read.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2016
    Provides the best summary of the lives of women of the period I have ever read. Complete with examples of women in each class. A great read.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Grumpy Historian
    4.0 out of 5 stars An early but useful contribution.....
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 24, 2015
    I liked most of the Gies' books I have read- at this is no exception. A fascinating and useful introduction to the source material revealing Medieval Women in every guise. Perhaps it will serve to challenge the misconceptions that they were an universally repressed and downtrodden class with no rights. From noblewomen to Merchants, there was far more to the fairer sex in the Middle Ages than being locked on towers.....also it has proved useful for a number of academic pursuits and assignments.

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