title: Women and Property: In Early Modern England
author: Amy Louise Erickson
description: ..."Erickson tells us much about the lives of women among small property owners."<br />-"Law and History Review <br />"This is a significant and very good book. ... In the range of sources used, and in the depth of analysis, Erickson has made an important contribution to our understanding of the position of women in the early modern period. She offers far more precision about women's relation to wealth and property than has been heretofore available...Her work should change the nature of our understanding of marriage, property, and the economy. This is no small accomplishment; it is one that will earn Erickson the gratitude of historians for many years to come."<br />-"Albion <br />..."Erickson's is the fresher, more exciting and substantial book: it provides more new knowledge from original and extensive archival research; it turns its attention to those women about whom we know least, the ordinary and the unmarried; and it offers subtler analyses."<br />-Renaissance Quarterly <br />
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  THE DEED
  
  Lynsay Sands
  
  For
  
  Maggie Willan
  
  You gave all the love, support, and encouragement that a
  
  mother can. I wish that you were here
  
  to see what came of it.
  
  Prologue
  
  Leicestershire, England, May 1395
  
  Emma peered surreptitiously over her companions in the antechamber. Some were
  pacing off nervous energy, others sat stiff and still, but every single one
  seemed tense and alert as they awaited their appointed visit with the king.
  
  Glancing down, she noticed that she had begun to shred the hankie she held,
  and quickly eased her hold, crumpling the piece of cloth in her hand to hide
  this sign of her nervousness.
  
  It had taken a great deal of begging, nagging, and pleading for her to get her
  cousin, Rolfe, to arrange this meeting with Richard II. It was not often that
  women were granted an audience at court. Popular opinion was that any issue
  they might bring forth would be of little import and therefore better seen to
  by their husband or father. But Rolfe was one