Marriage, a History: The Peasants
This is part of my discussion of Stephanie Coontz’s Marriage, a History. You can read Part I, Part II, and Part III. Okay, I think I’m going to have to discuss the rest of this book at a sprint. It’s … Read more →
Posts Tagged ‘medieval’
Marriage, a History: Christianity and Royal Power
This is the third installment of my discussion of Stephanie Coontz’s Marriage, a History. You can start with Part I and Part II. Early Christianity was deeply ambivalent about marriage. Celibacy was preferable to marriage, but marriage was preferable to … Read more →
Fun History Stuff: A Knight and the Black Death
Hey, they’re finding more skeletons in British parking lots! The remains of a 13th century knight were found in a University of Edinburgh car park, and 13 skeletons were uncovered in London at a site believed to be a 14th … Read more →
Fun History Stuff: Richard III
Well, fun for archaeology students, if not for the king himself. Archaeologists have confirmed that a skeleton found under a car park in Leicester, England is indeed that of King Richard III, who was killed in battle in 1485. If … Read more →
The Incomparable Empress Resides with Us
This is my last post in my series on Christine de Pizan’s The Book of the City of Ladies (1405). Please start with Part I. Lady Justice tells Christine that it is time to introduce the city they’ve built to … Read more →
Unsurpassed Steadfastness, Strength, and Constancy
This is a continuation of my reading of Christine de Pizan’s The Book of the City of Ladies (1405). Please start with Part I. Christine asks Rectitude about authors who claim that educating women ruins their mores. Rectitude argues that … Read more →
What Is Done Is Done, and Cannot Be Otherwise
This is a continuation of my reading of Christine de Pizan’s The Book of the City of Ladies (1405). Please start with Part I. Christine asks Rectitude about family relations, beginning with the preference for sons over daughters. Christine asks: … Read more →
Possessed of Sharp Wit and Burning Desire
This is part of my reading of Christine de Pizan’s The Book of the City of Ladies (1405). Please start with Part I. Just as Mary Wollstonecraft would do centuries later, Christine argues that women were held back through lack … Read more →
Return to the Womb From Which You Came
This is a continuation of my reading of Christine de Pizan’s The Book of the City of Ladies (1405). Please start with Part I and Part II. Christine asks Reason why women don’t plead law cases in court or hand down judgments. Reason’s response illustrates … Read more →
It Will Never Be Taken or Conquered
This is Part II of a series on The Book of the City of Ladies, written by Christine de Pizan in 1405. Please start with Part I. Christine is visited by three crowned ladies, who introduce themselves as Reason, Rectitude, and Justice. … Read more →