Forgetful of Their Sex: Female Sanctity and Society, ca. 500-1100
Janet L. Nelson|Jane Tibbets Schulenburg
Despite religious claims of a spiritual egalitarianism in the heavenly kingdom, there was definite tendency Middle Ages to organize celestial realm according established customs, values, and hierarchy earthly society. In this study over 2500 female male saints, Jane Schulenburg explores women's status experience early medieval society Church. She focuses on changing social contexts sanctity (women saints as embodiments cultural models) well extravagant, transgressive or deviant behaviour which frequently challenged order authority. argues that between 500-1100 clear gender-based asymmetry existed selection became more exaggerated during certain eras. The title, Forgetful Their Sex, is taken from St Jerome's writings refers ability deny transcend natural frailty their sex, act virile heroic manner. This depicts lives these strong, creative, independent-minded women who achieved visibility led recognition sanctity. also examines some major contributing factors involved establishing reputations for recruitment promotion including family wealth power, patronage, monasticism, virginity, motherhood, longevity. Invaluable what they tell us about Church, afford rare insight into private world men women, special bonds friendship, collective mentalities period. book should constitute contribution history, gender religion.
The American Historical Review