Ladies of the Fraternity of Saint George and of the Society of the Garter
James Gillespie
Contemporary society has discovered—or in some cases been forced to discover—the worth of women. Historians have provided valuable insights into the social, cultural, and legal status women an effort highlight roots attitudes that excluded from positions power western world. Much this research focused upon new ways viewing history, fine series monographs Women Culture Society being published by University Chicago Press provides a prime example awareness distaff side history. Yet, little attention paid most basic assumptions past generations medieval historians about society. The claim male chauvinist are founded primative Germanic concept warrior fraternity which were physiologically membership was already hoary when Fritz Kern his classic account law 1914. comitatus band Tacitus seen as central component leitmotiv produced chivalry. chivalric love ethic has, course, received great women's historians, but orders such views distilled largely ignored. traditional view fossilized parodies values they espoused so eloquently advocated Johan Huizinga's Waning Middle Ages still holds field. Only last year rehabilitated genuine expressions human their age. position within tradition is look for intrinsic interest subject investigation shifts toward females over centuries. orders, Arthurian legends inspired them, placed high value on women, much higher than earlier chansons de geste. While it true tended place lady pedestal her daughters fought climb down, greatest longest lasting these late-medieval fraternities, Order Garter, also gave role its celebrations.
Albion