Medieval Women

This beautifully illustrated, large format volume accompanies the British Library’s major Autumn exhibition which seeks to recover women’s voices, visions and experiences in Britain and Europe from around 1100 to 1500. Women of this period, whether as authors, artists, scribes, patrons, readers, wives, mothers, daughters, leaders, workers, makers, traders and more, tell their histories through their own words and reveal them through their own images, artworks and documents.

Through a selection of detailed expert essays and some 40 spotlight studies, Medieval Women reveals a rich and complex picture of their world, full of colourful characters and intriguing stories from famous personalities such as Christine de Pizan, Joan of Arc and Julian of Norwich, to lesser-known figures such as Sibilla von Bondorff, Clemence of Barking and Margaret Paston. Both the exhibition, and this accompanying book, will showcase star items from the British Library and major European collections as well as bringing to light little-known, deeply resonant, and highly personal, gems and keepsakes from this fascinating era.