The Oxford Handbook of Women and Gender in Medieval Europe, ed. Judith M. Bennett and Ruth Mazo Karras
Elisabeth van Houts
This volume, edited by Judith M. Bennett and Ruth Mazo Karras, contains a timely synthesis of the work published on women gender in middle ages over past four decades. It is divided into seven parts thirty-nine contributors (of whom three are men) have written chapters covering specific areas expertise. The first part, ‘Gendered Thinking’, fresh overviews what meant for Christian, Islamic Jewish religious societies (Dyan Elliott, Baskin Jonathan Berkey, respectively). What they highlight not surprising—in all religions were subordinate to men—although subtle differences ways which could agency outside domestic sphere revealing. Two contributions, political traditions female rulership (Amalie Fössel) naturalistic approach medicine philosophy (Kathrine Park), round off this introductory section medieval theories about women. second part concentrates law five thought-provoking authors discuss how normative literature can be used as illustration only society’s rules norms but guide lived reality life. I found contributions extremely thoughtful their analysis difficult legal language (Nelson Rio’s joint contribution early especially), juxtaposed with actual historical case studies (Lansing’s clever dissection one rape means reveal complexities ambiguities procedure), local variety exercise justice urban courts (Marie Kelleher), gradual development notions dos, dower dowry (Susan Mosher Stuard), an impressive study canon (Sarah McDougall).
The English Historical Review