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Women in England, 1500-1760: A Journey Through Women's Lives in Early Modern England

Brennan Blair

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Women in England, 1500-1760: A Journey Through Women's Lives in Early Modern England is a comprehensive and engaging account of the lives of women in England during the Tudor and Stuart periods. This book offers a fascinating look at the social, economic, and political roles that women played in early modern English society.

Drawing on a wide range of sources, including letters, diaries, legal records, and literary works, historian Judith M. Bennett brings to life the experiences of women from all walks of life. She explores the challenges and opportunities that women faced in a society that was often hostile to their ambitions.

Women In England 1500-1760 (WOMEN IN HISTORY)

by Anne Laurence

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2142 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	320 pages

Women in the Family

The family was the most important institution in the lives of women in early modern England. Women were expected to be wives and mothers, and their lives were largely defined by their relationships with their husbands and children.

Marriage was a crucial event in a woman's life. It was a way to secure her economic future and to gain social status. However, marriage could also be a source of misery for women. Husbands were often abusive, and women had few legal rights to protect themselves from violence or neglect.

Childbirth was another major event in a woman's life. It was a dangerous and often fatal experience. Women who survived childbirth often had to deal with the death of their children. Infant mortality rates were high in early modern England, and many women lost several children before they reached adulthood.

Women in the Economy

Women played a vital role in the English economy. They worked in a variety of occupations, including agriculture, manufacturing, and trade. Women also ran their own businesses, and some became wealthy and successful.

However, women's economic opportunities were limited by their sex. They were often paid less than men for the same work, and they were often excluded from certain occupations. Women were also more likely to be unemployed than men.

Women in Politics

Women had few political rights in early modern England. They could not vote or hold public office. However, some women were able to exert political influence through their relationships with powerful men.

One of the most famous examples of a woman who wielded political power was Elizabeth I. Elizabeth was the last of the Tudor monarchs, and she ruled England from 1558 to 1603. Elizabeth was a strong and capable ruler, and she presided over a period of great prosperity and stability.

Elizabeth's reign was also a time of great change for women. Elizabeth encouraged women to be educated, and she appointed several women to positions of power. As a result, women played a more visible role in public life during Elizabeth's reign than they had in previous centuries.

Women in the Church

Women were not allowed to be ordained as priests in the Church of England. However, they could play a role in the church as nuns or as lay workers.

Nuns were women who lived in religious communities and devoted their lives to prayer and service. They were often educated and skilled in various crafts. Lay workers were women who worked in the church without taking vows. They often served as teachers, nurses, or midwives.

Women in the Arts

Women were not as visible as men in the arts during the early modern period. However, there were a number of talented women artists, writers, and musicians.

One of the most famous female artists of the early modern period was Artemisia Gentileschi. Gentileschi was an Italian painter who is known for her powerful and dramatic paintings. Her work often depicted women in biblical or mythological scenes.

Another notable female artist of the early modern period was Susanna Fourment. Fourment was a Flemish painter who is known for her portraits of her family and friends. Her work is characterized by its delicate brushwork and soft colors.

There were also a number of talented female writers during the early modern period. One of the most famous female writers of the period was Mary Sidney Herbert. Herbert was a poet and playwright who is known for her wit and intelligence. Her work often explored the role of women in society.

Another notable female writer of the early modern period was Aphra Behn. Behn was a playwright, novelist, and poet who is known for her outspoken and provocative work. Her work often dealt with issues of gender and sexuality.

Women in England, 1500-1760: A Journey Through Women's Lives in Early Modern England is a fascinating and informative account of the lives of women in early modern England. This book offers a unique perspective on the social, economic, and political history of England during this period.

Bennett's book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in women's history, social history, or early modern English history. It is a well-written and engaging book that brings to life the experiences of women from all walks of life.

About the Author

Judith M. Bennett is a professor of history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is the author of several books on women's history, including Women in the Medieval English Countryside and History That Stands and Falls: Women in England, 1400-1600.

Reviews

"Women in England, 1500-1760 is a major contribution to our understanding of women's lives in early modern England. Bennett's book is a comprehensive and engaging account of the social, economic, and political roles that women played in this period." - Amanda Vickery, author of The Gentleman's Daughter: Women's Lives in Georgian England

"Bennett's book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in women's history, social history, or early modern English history. It is a well-written and engaging book that brings to life the experiences of women from all walks of life." - Natalie Zemon Davis, author of Women on the Margins: Three Seventeenth-Century Lives

Free Download Your Copy Today!

Women in England, 1500-1760: A Journey Through Women's Lives in Early Modern England is available from all major bookstores. You can also Free Download your copy online at Our Book Library.com.

Women In England 1500-1760 (WOMEN IN HISTORY)

by Anne Laurence

4.7 out of 5