Women and Aristocratic Culture in the Carolingian World (review)
Hans Hummer
Reviewed by: Women and Aristocratic Culture in the Carolingian World Hans Hummer World. By Valerie Garver. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2009. Pp. 310. Cloth $49.95. ISBN 978-0801447716. The study of women Middle Ages always poses daunting challenges: few texts are identifiably written by women, so certifiably feminine voices elusive; although men—mostly clerics—had plenty to say about it often devolved into tendentious diatribes on virtue vice. agency whatever may have been beyond individual cases, appears be buried beneath impenetrable layers moralizing male insecurity. Or would seem. Garver is justifiably impatient with this view situation. Instead, she has perceptively decided that because nearly all her sources were authored elite, they exhibit assumptions wealth, status, power, shared aristocratic men alike, whether lay folk or professionally religious. In short, maintains putative limitations positive evidence for something. Her willingness embrace assumptions, course, does not banish methodological problems. confronts these standard shucking sifting dear medievalists, supplements a gendered analysis. When approaches come dead ends, author charges ahead what terms “disciplined imagination” (12) infer might possible probable. Thus equipped, produced densely argued monograph probes an impressive range material sketch out roles elite played shaping culture Europe between roughly 700 early tenth century. divided five chapters, beauty, family, prudence, textile work. investigation each category requires struggle varying degrees tension ideals reality, more accurately we wish know writers cared write about. A case point carnal Garver’s parlance, “good looks” (42). problem conceptions physical attractiveness impossible retrieve from accounts even when writer referring its corporeal dimension, was interpreted as reflection inner virtue. With adornments dress, textual at disposal; but these, too, usually explicated symbols ethereal goodness. Although pursue issue, one wonders discussion ugliness revealed. At opposite end spectrum “prudence,” which means instruction moral exemplarity, well family relations. For [End Page 385] can draw upon deep secondary literature diversity witnesses, particular memorial books nunneries, rich vein female hagiography connected Fulda, reform legislation, Dhuoda’s ninth-century manual advice son. These chapters deftly portray overlapping experiences monastic women: if contributed property status marriage, also responsible children; nuns, theory, renounced their families entering monastery, practice, reproduced bonds transacted gifts kin, educated daughters friends relatives, nurtured natal family’s legacy prayers. chapter “Wealth: Hospitality Domestic Management,” largely composed subjunctive mood, most speculative part study. uses (173) imagine managing estate enterprises, reviewing “records financial transactions” (187), supervising production. speculations right, asserted links causal chain compelling. She begins substantively Capitulare de villis, ordained queen should help supervision managers. Since model other ergo capitulary must signal general. Consequently, any documents now read women...
German Studies Review