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Notes
Women Power in the Middle Ages
Women Power in the Middle Ages
"The ways in which women exercised power in the Middle Ages has been increasingly explored over the last few years. Its fascination for historians arises from the fact that the general legal, philosophical and theological opinion of the medieval centuries united in theoretically denying to women the right to exercise public power, although it was recognized that in reality noblewomen and queens could often be very influential indeed---a fact often bemoaned by disapproving chroniclers.
"However, there were some cases in which medieval queens and noblewomen were not only influential but personally powerful. As scholars have begun to investigae more closely what medieval women were actually doing, it has become obvious it was not only a queen, named as regent for an under-age heir to the throne, who exercised power. Other important noblewomen, such as heiresses to counties in their own right, or appointed regents on the death or absence of their husbands, ruled actively and were seen as doing so legitimately. Threee women embody this reality particularly well: the twelfth century Adela, countess of Blois; the thirteenth century Isabella de Fortibus, widowed countess of Aumale, and countess of Devon by inheritance; the fourteenth century Mahaut of Artois, countess of Artois after her father's death and regent countess of Burgundy on the death of her husband the count. These women illustrate the various circumstances which might propel noblewomen into becoming legitimate and recognized ruling figures and also illustrate their different ways of using their power.
"The common factor was the early death of the husband, leaving young children, so that the widow became guardian of the lands and resources, and, if a major fief was involved, regent. Widowhood also added to a woman's personal riches since her dower was normanlly one third of her husband's lands and rents. As well, his death returned to his wife her personal power over any inheritance or dowry which she had brought to the marriage; if that had included a county because of lack of male heirs, she as countess legitimately exercised rule and enjoyed its revenues so long as she did not remarry.
"Our three exemplars demonstrate that a trong woman, with sufficient resources and support, could carve out a satisfactory life as a widow. They also remind us of medieval family patterns that are sometimes overlooked. Kings and noblemen were frequently absent for long periods of time, whether on crusade, wars, pilgrimage, at court or on diplomatic errands. the stay-at-home wife was expected, with the help of officials and knights, to maintain the good governance of the lordship during the husband's absence. As well, these important active men were often killed at quite a young age---in battle or on crusade, but also in tournaments, while hunting or even from the perils of travel. Medieval women, when adsence, death or underage heirs required them to, acted as head of the family and protected its interests. Many wielded their power effectively...." (Labarge, pp. 103-104)
Critical Roles of Medieval Aristocratic Women
"By and large all these (medieval Russian) aristocratic women shared certain characteristics. They were well educated for their time, and they felt free to involve themselves in politics, bringing matters before secular rulers, church councils, and even the pope himself. They could send their own envoys to foreign countries, on occasion forming and leading their own embassies. They undertook negotiations with foreign diplomats in order to advance the interests of their Russian homeland. For the most part they advocated peaceful, diplomatic, and restrained solutions to international tensions--and this in a period of constant warfare.
"Despite their governmental duties and their own political ambitions, these women leaders remained devoted mothers. Often, as guardians and regents, Russian princesses directed all their efforts to help their sons ascent to the throne and to achieve their political goals. Sometimes, to advance these ends, these women deliberately downplayed their contributions to their menfolk's successes." (Puskareva and Levin, 1997, p. 28)
The Queen's (Reginal) Properties
"The character of these possessions can be understood from the custom of marriage gifts... [A] Hungarian noblewoman received a wedding gift...from her husband or his clan upon marriage; this remained under her control, was retained by her if she became a widow, and seems sometimes to have been inherited in the female line. Such women did not bring property to the marriage... Queens who came from distant lands...were given at marriage property from the kings' possessions....' (Parsons, p. 18)
Women's Status and Role in Society
"The status of women in society was determined by their relation to men, and whether they were virgins, wives, or widows. According to the law, every woman was considered to be underage and in the custoday of a man, though widows had a certain independence. A woman could temporarily take the place of a man and function as the head of a household or institution. A married woman could be in charge during the absence of her husband, or because of his weak health. A widow could manage a farm or household until a male heir came of age. Women could thus substitute for men if it was in the interest of the house, lineage, or kingdom. Within the patriarchal framework, therefore, women had positions of high esteem as leaders of that part of the household belonging to women: the mistress of the house carried the keys to the storerooms, a symbol of her power." (Parsons, pp-26-27)
A Woman as Ruler
"The accession of a woman to the position of ruler --- whether it was informally in a republic or officially in a seigneurial court or monarchy --- always took place because of the absence of a legitimate male heir. This could occur because the previous ruler did not have a male heir, or the rightful heir was too young to rule, temporarily absent, or incapacitated. Occasionally, a woman could rule alongside her husband or son, in an unofficial capacity. She was granted the opportunity to rule, therefore, by being the daughter, sister, wife, or mother of the legitimate male ruler. A woman's ability to govern in her own right was always contingent upon there being no legitimate adult male heir available. The opportunity to rule also tended to depend upon the support and tolerance of powerful male supporters and/or relatives of the female ruler...." (Tomas, p. 166)
Daughters' Right of Inheritance
"What about the daughters? Up the fourteenth century, daughters, in principle, inherited an equal share of the paternal landed and movable property, with the exception of fiefs and offices. Their dowry was also regarded as part of their birthright. In the fourteenth century and later, more and more, daughters were forced to agree to renounce their hereditary title at the time of marriage, with the understanding that the dowry was the equivalent of the inheritance. Only if her father or brothers died without leaving sons could a daughter's hereditary title become valid again." (Sabean, et. al., p. 66)
