Feminism pt. 2: Women in Medieval Times pt. 1

“It is shortsighted to say that feminism is a Biblical problem or that it is predominantly a Western  problem.”  ~Audrey Rindlisbacher

Although most women in medieval times did not have the opportunity to utilize all of their gifts and talents , some amazing women were able to rise above their status and have a positive impact on society. 

Here is your introduction to seven of them! Through learning their stories we are introduced to a different view of women in this time period. We see women leading in political positions, as artisans, through running organizations, as writers, and other capacities. We also come to see the reality that even in medieval times, there were men who respected women, believed in them and even followed them.  


Listener’s Guide:

Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast. 

3:50     Women’s inferiority owing to the Bible and church refuted
7:45      What we know about Medieval women
10:58    Theodora of  Byzantium
12:35    Hilda, Abbess of Whitby
14:03    Ende the Illuminator
14:47    Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians
15:55    Hrotsvitha of Gandersheim
17:57   
Hildegard of Bingen
19:07    Marie de France


Quotes from this episode:

“It is shortsighted to say that feminism is a Biblical problem or that it is predominantly a Western problem.” ~Audrey Rindlisbacher

The middle class has always been the core of any thriving society. Men relied on their wives to raise children, run the household, help with businesses, and to work hard physically.  Men treated them more equally than in the higher levels of society.” ~Audrey Rindlisbacher 


Books from this episode: