Gender, Memory and Social Power
Janet L. Nelson
Two books are reviewed here, the first, by a historian of western Europe, Elisabeth van Houts, second Byzantinist, Lynda Garland. Aspects Houts's book discussed are: complementary roles women and men in production historical writing; role transmission oral testimony, especially on genealogies property rights claimed through women; gender‐specificity women's valued objects. The book's contributions to history family stressed. Garland's treatment series Byzantine empresses is appreciated as informative, but criticised for lack reference historiography medieval female rulership insufficient analysis structural features polity. A brief conclusion reflects gender power early east west.
Gender & History