Women in the Middle Ages

Most major civilizations have been patriarchal societies, but in the Medieval Ages, women were especially repressed. Because the Catholic church had so much political power and women were not allowed to hold positions in the church, their political influence was at an all-time low. That said, women in the Middle Ages still played an important role at every level of society.

The most powerful women in the Middle Ages

Some women were lucky enough to marry or were born into power during the Middle Ages. Eleanor of Aquitane was extremely lucky in doing both. Eleanor inherited the title of Duchess of Aquitaine from her father, and shortly after receiving that title, she married Louis VII to reign as Queen of France. Approximately 10 years after marrying her way to the French throne, she and Louis VII agreed to annul their marriage. Eleanor had her original title of Duchess restored, but only two months later married her third cousin, Henry II. When Henry II took the throne as King of England, Eleanor once again was a queen. She was not the only powerful woman in Europe during the Middle Ages, either. Other influential queens of the Middle Ages included: Constance, Isabella, Joan and Urraca.

Women and the church in the Middle Ages

Though women were not allowed to serve as bishops during the Middle Ages, they were allowed to serve in the church as nuns and occasionally to ascend to the role of abbess. Some abbesses, like Hilda of Whitby, were able to turn their supervisory roles into real positions of power both within and outside the church.

Working women in the Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, women were not only expected to perform many of the household chores, females of the working class were also expected to work for their lords. That could mean anything from harvesting crops to spinning clothes. Even in middle class homes, women often played an important role in the business of their husbands.

Though women in the Middle ages were undeniably limited in their options and opportunities, they nevertheless played an integral role in every aspect of politics and society.