Download WOMEN IN THE RENAISSANCE

WOMEN IN THE RENAISSANCE
I.
WOMEN IN THE RENAISSANCE
A.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.
RENAISSANCE C 1350-1650
a.
FIRST IN ITALY
b.
NOT IN ENGLAND UNTIL LATE 16TH C
c.
SCARCE IN FRANCE
d.
LATE 15TH -16TH C. NORTHERN EUROPE
2.
REBIRTH
3.
MOVEMENT THAT RECLAIMED GREEK & ROMAN CULTURE
4.
REVITALIZED WESTERN ART & ARCHITECTURE
5.
ESTABLISHED MODERN POLITICAL & ECONOMIC PRACTICES
6.
IDEAS SUCH AS HUMANISM, COURTIER TYPE
7.
GREAT DISPARITIES BETWEEN LIFE OF RICH WOMAN & POOR ONE
8.
BETWEEN RURAL ONE AND URBAN ONE
B.
DID WOMEN HAVE A RENAISSANCE?
1.
CLASSIC QUESTION SINCE HISTORIAN JOAN KELLY ASKED IT
SEVERAL DECADES AGO
2.
DISAGREEMENT WHETHER WOMEN HAD RENAISSANCE
3.
SOME HISTORIANS SAY - NOT A RENAISSANCE FOR WOMEN
4.
BECAUSE THEIR STATUS, ESPECIALLY IN THE UPPER CLASSES
5.
DECLINED ONCE MEDIEVAL TIMES OVER
a.
ESPECIALLY IN ITALY
b.
WHERE POLITICAL STRUCTURE PRECLUDED WOMEN FROM
PARTICIPATING
6.
MEN IN CHARGE OF BUSINESSES & RULING
7.
WOMEN TO BE ORNAMENTS OF THEIR CLASS NOW
a.
NOT SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTORS
8.
BALDASSARE CASTIGLIONE
a.
THE COURTIER 1528
b.
EPITOMIZES THIS AUXILIARY ROLE FOR ARISTOCRATIC
LADIES TO MEN OF THEIR CLASS
9.
BUT ONE OF FOREMOST HISTORIANS OF EUROPE DAVID HERLIHY
a.
PAST PRESIDENT AHA
b.
SOMETHING CHANGED IN THE RENAISSANCE IN WOMEN'S
SENSE OF THEMSELVES, EVEN IF VERY LITTLE CHANGED
OR CHANGED FOR THE BETTER IN THEIR SOCIAL
CONDITION
10.
IN COURTLY LOVE TRADITION OF MIDDLE AGES
11.
MEN SUPPOSED TO PLEASE LADIES
12.
WHEREAS IN RENAISSANCE WOMEN MOLDED TO SATISFY
GENTLEMEN
C.
IDEAS ON EDUCATION FOR WOMEN IN RENAISSANCE
1.
AS RENAISSANCE IDEAL OF LEARNING SPREAD,
2.
GIRLS & YOUNG WOMEN OF UPPER ESTATES RECEIVED BETTER
EDUCATIONS THAN THEIR MEDIEVAL COUNTERPARTS
3.
BUT CLASSICAL MATERIAL THEY STUDIED REINFORCED
NOTIONS OF MALE SUPERIORITY
a.
MORE OF ARISTOTLE, PLATO, ETC. WORKS
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28.
THEIR EDUCATION ENABLED THEM NOT TO ENTER LEARNED
PROFESSIONS
BUT TO ACT AS LADIES OF COURT
PATRONESSES OF ARTS
DECORATIVE PRESENCES IN HOUSEHOLDS
BUT FOR FIRST TIME IN WESTERN HISTORY MEN STRESSING
EDUCATION FOR WOMEN
SOME HIGHLY EDUCATED RENAISSANCE LADIES EXERTED
IMMENSE INFLUENCE OVER
a.
ARTS
b.
LITERATURE
c.
& SOCIAL LIFE OF RENAISSANCE
& EVEN SOME HAD SIGNIFICANT POLITICAL ROLES AS WELL
WHILE INITIALLY MEN FELT WOMEN SHOULD NOT BECOME
TEACHERS EXCEPT TO THEIR OWN CHILDREN
BY END OF 15TH C. BEGINNINGS OF GOVERNESSES IN
ARISTOCRATIC HOUSEHOLDS
a.
THAT WILL BE SO PREVALENT LATER CENTURIES
ERASMUS, MORE & OTHERS FELT WOMEN OF THE MIDDLE
CLASSES SHOULD BE EDUCATED TOO
a.
NOT MERELY THOSE OF NOBILITY
ALL FELT WOMEN SHOULD READ SPECIFIC BOOKS IN
PREFERENCE TO OTHERS READ BY MEN,
THIS FOR SAKE OF MORALITY & FITNESS FOR WOMEN'S ROLES IN
WORLD
& NOT BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT WOMEN MENTALLY INFERIOR
IN HIS UTOPIA, MORE EVEN SUGGESTED THAT OLDER WOMEN &
WIDOWS MIGHT BE PRIESTESSES
a.
A TREMENDOUS LEAP AFTER ALMOST 1500 YEARS OF
CONTRARY CHRISTIAN PRACTICE
BUT DOMESTIC DUTIES NEVER TO BE NEGLECTED FOR
EDUCATIONAL PURSUITS
IN HIS COLLOQUY BETWEEN ABBOT (ANTRONIUS) & A LEARNED
WOMAN (MAGDALA)
ERASMUS CONTRASTED TRADITIONAL & MORE PROGRESSIVE
VIEWS ON WOMEN'S EDUCATION DURING RENAISSANCE
SHORT BIT OF BELOW IS IN YOUR TEXT
ANTRONIUS: IT ISN'T FEMININE TO BE INTELLECTUAL; WOMEN
ARE MADE FOR PLEASURE.
MAGDALA: SUPPOSE NOW THAT I TAKE MORE PLEASURE IN
READING A GOOD AUTHOR THAN YOU DO IN HUNTING,
DRINKING OR GAMING. WON'T YOU THINK I LIVE PLEASANTLY?
ANTRONIUS: I WOULD NOT LIVE THAT SORT OF LIFE...
MAGDALA: BUT WHY DOES THIS HOUSEHOLD STUFF [BOOKS]
DISPLEASE YOU?
ANTRONIUS: BECAUSE A SPINNING WHEEL IS A WOMAN'S
WEAPON.
MAGDALA: IS IT NOT A WOMAN'S BUSINESS TO MIND THE
AFFAIRS OF HER FAMILY & TO INSTRUCT HER CHILDREN?
ANTRONIUS: YES, IT IS
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MAGDALA: AND DO YOU THINK SO WEIGHTY AN OFFICE CAN BE
PERFORMED WITHOUT WISDOM?
ANDRONIUS: I BELIEVE NOT
MAGDALA; THIS WISDOM I LEARN FROM BOOKS...
ANTRONIUS: I CAN TOLERATE BOOKS - BUT NOT LATIN ONES.
MAGDALA: WHY SO?
ANTRONIUS: BECAUSE THAT TONGUE IS NOT FIT FOR A WOMAN
MAGDALA: I WANT TO KNOW THE REASON
ANDRONIUS: BECAUSE IT CONTRIBUTES NOTHING TOWARD THE
DEFENSE OF THEIR CHASTITY...THE COMMON PEOPLE THINK AS I
DO, BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A RARE & UNUSUAL THING FOR A
WOMAN TO UNDERSTAND LATIN...
MAGDALA: WHY THEN IS IT NOT BECOMING FOR ME TO LEARN
LATIN, THAT I MAY BE ABLE DAILY TO HAVE CONVERSATION
WITH SO MANY ELOQUENT, LEARNED & WISE AUTHORS AND
FAITHFUL COUNSELORS?
ANTRONIUS: BOOKS DESTROY WOMEN'S BRAINS WHO HAVE
LITTLE ENOUGH OF THEMSELVES...BOOKISHNESS MAKES FOLK
MAD...BY MY FAITH, I WOULD NOT HAVE A LEARNED WIFE...I
HAVE OFTEN HEARD IT SAID THAT A WISE WOMAN IS TWICE A
FOOL...
MAGDALA: A WOMAN THAT IS TRULY WISE DOES NOT THINK
HERSELF SO; BUT ON THE CONTRARY, ONE THAT KNOWS
NOTHING THINKS HERSELF TO BE WISE, AND THAT IS BEING
TWICE A FOOL.
ANTRONIUS: I CAN'T WELL TELL HOW IT IS, THAT AS
PACKSADDLES DON'T BECOME AN ASS, SO NEITHER DOES
LEARNING BECOME A WOMAN.
AS WOMAN DID NOT GO TO UNIVERSITY
THEY HAD NO OPPORTUNITY TO ENTER LEARNED PROFESSIONS
WOMEN HUMANISTS TYPICALLY ACQUIRED THEIR EDUCATION
FROM THEIR FATHERS OR FROM PRIVATE TUTORS
QUEENS, WHETHER AS RULERS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT OR
CONSORTS
MADE SURE THAT THEIR DAUGHTERS WERE WELL EDUCATED
TO BE FIT MEMBERS OF COURT
THOMAS MORE, HENRY VIII'S LORD CHANCELLOR
VERY INSTRUMENTAL IN SPREADING HUMANISM EDUCATION IN
ENGLAND
HIS ELDEST DAUGHTER MARGARET MORE 1504-1544
a.
FOR EG EDUCATED IN LATIN, GREEK, LOGIC, PHILOSOPHY,
THEOLOGY, MATHEMATICS & ASTRONOMY
MORE'S BELIEF IN EDUCATION OF WOMEN
& ACCEPTANCE OF THAT BELIEF IN ROYAL FAMILY FOR ITS
DAUGHTERS, MARY & ELIZABETH TUDOR
ENCOURAGED OTHERS AMONG ENGLISH NOBILITY TO ARRANGE
TUTORS FOR THEIR DAUGHTERS
& THOSE PRIVILEGED WOMEN
ONLY IN THE 19TH & 20TH C WOULD SUCH EDUCATION BE OPEN
TO ALL WOMEN
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55.
56.
D.
II.
ALTHOUGH MALE HUMANISTS PRAISED WOMEN IN GENERAL
THEY USUALLY PREFERRED THAT LEARNED WOMEN REMAIN
SAFELY UNWED
57.
& LIKENED THEM TO AMAZON QUEENS & ARMED WARRIOR
CONTRIBUTIONS OF LEARNED RENAISSANCE WOMEN OR HUMANISTS
1.
MORE THAN 30 WOMEN HUMANISTS OF RENAISSANCE
IDENTIFIED
2.
THOUGH FEW WROTE MAJOR WORKS
3.
PROBABLY DUE MORE TO SOCIAL BARRIERS THAN LACK OF
CREATIVE TALENT
4.
CONTRIBUTIONS OF LEARNED REN WOMEN VARIED
5.
MANY WROTE IN LATIN
a.
LETTERS, ORATIONS, TREATISES & POEMS
6.
ALESSANDRA SCALA OF FLORENCE HAD COMMAND OF GREEK
EQUALED BY FEW WESTERN SCHOLARS
7.
LUCREZIA TORNABUONI
a.
MOTHER OF LORENZO THE MAGNIFICANT
b.
AUTHOR OF RELIGIOUS HYMNS
8.
AS RENAISSANCE EXTENDED NORTH OF ALPS
9.
MORE YOUNG WOMEN RECEIVED HUMANIST EDUCATION
10.
& TOOK UP THEIR PENS TO WRITE LITERARY, RELIGIOUS &
HISTORICAL WORKS
11.
RANGE OF TOPICS AVAILABLE TO WOMEN RESTRICTED BY
SOCIAL CUSTOM
12.
SINCE MOST SECULAR SUBJECTS THOUGHT TO BE PROVINCE OF
MEN
13.
EVEN IN RELIGIOUS REALM WOMEN EXPECTED TO CONFINE
THEMSELVES TO
a.
HYMNS
b.
POEMS
c.
DEVOTIONAL WORKS
d.
TRANSLATIONS
14.
GREAT THINGS BY REASON OF MY SEX I MAY NOT DO
a.
ADMITTED ENGLISH TRANSLATOR ANNE LOCKE
15.
THUS HUMANIST EDUCATION TANTALIZED BRIGHT YOUNG
WOMEN
16.
EVEN AS SOCIETY THWARTED THEIR AMBITIONS
SPECIFIC POWERFUL & EDUCATED WOMEN OF RENAISSANCE
A.
ISABELLA D'ESTES 1474-1539
1.
TEXT JUST BRIEFLY MENTIONS
2.
TRUE RENAISSANCE WOMAN
a.
CF TO LEONARDO DA VINCI
3.
RECEIVED EDUCATION IN HUMANITIES
4.
PLAYED CLAVICHORD, LUTE, AND COULD SING
5.
& 1 OF GREATEST PATRONS OF RENAISSANCE
6.
HER COURT WAS A MAJOR CENTER FOR ARTISTS MUSICIANS &
HUMANISTS
7.
COLLECTED RARE BOOKS, ANTIQUES ART
a.
HAD MICHELANGELO'S FIRST STATUE
5
b.
B.
C.
D.
HER LIBRARY CALLED "IL PARADISO" = PARADISE
(1)
STILL EXISTS
8.
IN 1493 SHE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CADIZ (SEAPORT SW
SPAIN ON ATLANTIC) REMARKING THAT
a.
A SAILOR NAMED COLUMBUS HAS LANDED HERE..."
9.
MANTUA'S COURT ACHIEVED ITS GREATEST LUSTER UNDER HER
10.
WED TO FRANCESCO GONZAGA
a.
MARQUIS OF MANTUA AT 16
b.
ISABELLA BECAME DUCHESS OF MANTUA
11.
WHEN HUSBAND CAPTURED IN WAR W/VENICE SHE RULED
MANTUA
a.
EVEN DISARMING ENEMIES HER HUSBAND HAD
PREVIOUSLY MADE
12.
BUT HE COMPLAINED WHEN HE RETURNED TO MANTUA
a.
IT IS OUR FATE TO HAVE AS A WIFE A WOMAN WHO
ALWAYS RULED BY HER HEAD
13.
HER GREATEST LEGACY
a.
HUNDREDS OF LETTERS CHRONICLING INTERESTS OF DAY
MARGUERITE OF ANGOULEME 1492-1549
1.
SISTER TO FRENCH KING, FRANCIS I
2.
LED FRANCE'S RENAISSANCE MOVEMENT
3.
WELL-EDUCATED IN NEW HUMANISTIC LEARNING
4.
HER COURT WAS SURROUNDED W/HUMANIST SCHOLARS
5.
THOUGH OLDER THAN HER BROTHER,
6.
FRENCH LAW EXCLUDED WOMEN FROM SUCCESSION
7.
PEOPLE OF TIMES DEPLORED THIS AS SAID SHE WOULD HAVE
MADE BETTER KING
8.
DEALT W/AMBASSADORS & AFFAIRS OF STATE ON BROTHER'S
BEHALF
9.
WROTE BOOK HEPTAMERON
a.
MODELED ON BOCCACCIO'S DECAMERON
b.
DESCRIBED ABUSES OF CHURCH & MONASTERIES IN A
RIBALD FASHION
LOUISE LABE CA. 1524?-CA. 1565?
1.
TEXT MENTIONS ITEMS BELOW
2.
WELL EDUCATED DAUGHTER OF MERCHANT
3.
LYON, FRANCE,
4.
KNOWN AS FRENCH SAPPHO - BECAUSE OF PASSIONATE LOVE
POEMS
VITTORIA COLONNA 1492-1547
1.
TEXT JUST MENTIONS AS WROTE LOVE SONNETS
a.
INFLUENCING MICHELANGELO RELIGIOUS IDEAS
2.
ONE OF MOST GIFT RENAISSANCE WOMEN
3.
BORN 1492 AT MARINO NEAR ROME
a.
DAUGHTER OF FABRIZIO COLONNA
b.
GRAND CONSTABLE OF KINGDOM OF NAPLES
4.
BELONGED TO POWERFUL ROMAN FAMILY
a.
VAST HOLDINGS IN PAPAL STATES & SOUTHERN ITALY
5.
AMONG HER RELATIVES
a.
POPE
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7.
8.
9.
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15.
III.
b.
30 CARDINALS
MARRIAGE AT AGE 19 TO MARCHESE OF PESCARA
a.
SPANIARD
b.
HAD BEEN ARRANGED FOR POLITICAL REASONS 15 YRS
EARLIER
c.
BUT SHE FELL IN LOVE WITH HIM
d.
OFTEN ABSENT ON MILITARY SERVICE
e.
MARCHESE DIED IN 1525 LEAVING HER CHILDLESS
IN HIS MEMORY VITTORIA WROTE SONNETS IDEALIZING HIM AS
SAINT
DESPITE FACT HE HAD BEEN UNFAITHFUL TO HER
HER LOVE SONNETS WRITTEN IN TRADITION OF PETRARCH
WON HER ACCLAIM IN HUMANIST CIRCLES
ALSO WROTE RELIGIOUS SONNETS
a.
HERES AN INTENSELY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
b.
I WROTE ONLY TO FREE MYSELF FROM MY INNER PAIN
GREAT KINDRED SPIRIT WITH MICHELANGELO
HE WAS HER BEST FRIEND
THEY CORRESPONDED EXTENSIVELY & EXCHANGED SONNETS
HE PAINTED AT LEAST 3 WORKS FOR HER
WOMEN ARTISTS OF RENAISSANCE
A.
GENERAL REMARKS
1.
TEXT COVERS
2.
ALTHOUGH RELATIVELY LITTLE KNOWN ABOUT WOMAN
ARTISTS OF PERIOD
3.
SOME ACHIEVED BOTH ACCEPTANCE & DEGREE OF FAME
4.
ALTHOUGH DIFFICULT TO CONSTRUCT THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS
5.
BECAUSE SO MANY OF THEIR WORKS SUBSEQUENTLY LOST OF
DESTROYED
B.
SOFONISBA ANGUISSOLA - C. 1535-1625
1.
TEXT COVERS
2.
OF CREMONA
3.
PAINTER
4.
MICHELANGELO TOOK SPECIAL INTEREST IN HER
a.
HER 5 SISTERS ALSO PAINTED
5.
VASARI VISITED THEIR HOUSEHOLD
a.
& DESCRIBED WORKS OF EACH WOMAN
6.
FOR NEARLY 2 DECADES SOFONISBA PAINTED AT COURT OF
KING PHILIP II OF SPAIN
C.
LEVINA TEERLING 1576
1.
ENENGLISH MONARCH HENRY VIII PATRONIZED NUMBER OF
WOMEN PAINTERS
2.
PAYING ONE OF THEM
a.
LEVINA TEERLING
(1)
MSS ILLUMINATOR
3.
EVEN MORE FOR HER WORK THAN HE PAID FAMOUS HANS
HOLBEIN
4.
ROYAL PATRONAGE ALSO BESTOWED ON CATHARINA VAN
HEMESSEN 1528-1587 OF NETHERLANDS
7
D.
a.
SHE ENJOYED SUPPORT OF QUEEN MARY OF HUNGARY
b.
PAINTED SOME INTRIGUINGLY INTROSPECTIVE PORTRAITS
PROPERZIA ROSSI C. 1490-1530 OF BOLOGNA
1.
PROBABLY LEADING WOMAN SCULPTURE
IV.
SEE SEPARATE SHEET FOR QUEENS & REGENTS IN RENAISSANCE
V.
FAMILY & MARRIAGE CUSTOMS DURING ITALIAN RENAISSANCE
A.
GENERAL REMARKS RE MARRIAGE
1.
WHILE MARRIAGE HONORABLE STATE, PRIOR TO ITALIAN
RENAISSANCE
2.
IT WAS GENERALLY REGARDED BY CHURCH & OTHERS AS
INFERIOR TO CELIBACY & WIDOWHOOD
3.
MARRIAGE DISTRACTED FROM PRAYER & STUDY
4.
FLORENTINES OF 14TH C. FULLY SHARED THESE ANCIENT
PREJUDICES AGAINST MARRIAGE
5.
GIOVANNI BOCCACCIO, A NOTORIOUS MISOGYNIST
a.
LET PHILOSPHERS LEAVE MARRIAGE TO THE IGNORANT
RICH, TO RULERS & TO PEASANTS
6.
BUT BLACK DEATH & SUBSEQUENT SEVERE POPULATION LOSSES
CHANGED THIS
7.
A NEW & MORE AFFIRMATIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS MARRIAGE
EMERGED
8.
CIVIC HUMANISTS STRESSED THAT MARRIAGE SANCTIFIED
NATURAL UNION OF SEXES
a.
CHILDREN BORN IN WEDLOCK ALONE ASSURED SURVIVAL
OF FAMILY & SOCIETY
b.
AN ACTIVE CITIZEN NEEDED TO BE A MARRIED MAN
9.
CIVIC HUMANISTS EVEN WENT ON TO EXTOL LOVE IN MARRIAGE
10.
& THAT A WIFE ALONE COULD OFFER COMPANIONSHIP
11.
PATRIARCHAL VIEWS OF MARRIAGE STILL ABOUNDED
12.
BUT GIVEN FACT THAT URBAN MARRIAGES GENERALLY
BETWEEN YOUNG GIRL OLDER MAN
a.
MAN IN 30'S
b.
BRIDE HALF HIS AGE
c.
WEALTHIER GIRLS MARRIED EVEN SOON AS IN DEMAND
13.
A WIFE FITTING COMPANIONSHIP & FRIEND ROLE HARDLY
NORMAL STATE OF AFFAIRS
14.
MATURE MAN WHO MARRIED YOUNG MAIDEN SAW LITTLE
ADVANTAGE IN INVOLVING HER IN HIS AFFAIRS
15.
BUT OLDER HUSBANDS DID FEEL RESPONSIBLE FOR EDUCATING
THEIR WIVES ON THEIR PERSPECTIVE ROLES
16.
& A HUSBAND WHO FAILED TO RULE HIS WIFE PROPERLY
a.
THOUGHT TO RISK CREATING A SHREW
(1)
WHO WOULD ASSUME AUTHORITY IN MARRIAGE
17.
SO IN LITERATURE PATIENT GRIESELDA
a.
TOUTED AS IDEAL WIFE
18.
LEON ALBERTI DISCOURSES ON BOTH THESE IDEAS
19.
AFTER MY WIFE HAD BEEN SETTLED IN MY HOUSE A FEW
DAYS...I TOOK HER BY THE HAND & SHOWED HER AROUND THE
8
WHOLE HOUSE...I SHOWED HER MY TREASURES, SILVER,
TAPESTRY, GARMENTS, JEWELS & WHERE EACH THING HAD ITS
PLACE...ONLY MY BOOKS & RECORDS & THOSE OF MY
ANCESTORS DID I DETERMINE TO KEEP WELL SEALED...TO TAKE
AWAY ANY TASTE SHE MIGHT HAVE FOR LOOKING AT MY NOTES
OR PRYING INTO MY PRIVATE AFFAIRS, I OFTEN USED TO
EXPRESS MY DISAPPROVAL OF BOLD & FORWARD FEMALES WHO
TRY TOO HARD TO KNOW ABOUT THINGS OUTSIDE THE
HOUSE...HUSBANDS WHO TAKE COUNSEL WITH THEIR
WIVES...ARE MADMEN IF THEY THINK TRUE PRUDENCE OR GOOD
COUNSEL LIES IN THE FEMALE BRAIN...DEAR WIFE, LISTEN TO
ME. I SHALL BE MOST PLEASED IF YOU DO JUST THREE THINGS:
FIRST, SEE THAT YOU NEVER WANT ANOTHER MAN TO SHARE
THIS BED BUT ME SECOND...TAKE CARE OF THE
HOUSEHOLD...THIRD...SEE THAT NOTHING COMES WRONG IN THE
HOUSE...THEN SHE & I KNELT DOWN & PRAYED TO GOD...THAT
HE MIGHT GRANT US THE GRACE TO LIVE TOGETHER IN PEACE &
HARMONY FOR MANY HAPPY YEARS & WITH MANY MALE
CHILDREN,
20.
21.
B.
MARRIAGES GENERALLY ARRANGED BY COUPLE'S PARENTS
BUSINESS OR POLITICAL PARTNERS COMMONLY SOLIDIFIED
THEIR INTERESTS
a.
BY MARRYING THEIR CHILDREN TO EACH OTHER
22.
CLANDESTINE OR SECRET MARRIAGES OCCURRED AS WELL
a.
MORE PREVALENT AMONG COMMON FOLK THAN
WEALTHY
b.
DONE TO CIRCUMVENT UNWELCOME BETHROTHAL
c.
BUT HEAVY FINES FOR MARRYING W/O PARENTS OK
d.
& CLANDESTINE MARRIAGES MADE IT POSSIBLE TO
DISSOLVE ONE'S OWN MARRIAGE
e.
IF 1 PARTY WENT TO COURT
f.
NO EVIDENCE OR WITNESSES TO SAY THEY WERE
MARRIED
g.
USUALLY GRANTED ANNULMENT EVEN THOUGH KIDS
DOWRY
1.
NECESSARY PART OF MARRIAGE
2.
DISGRACEFUL FOR EVEN A POOR GIRL NOT TO BRING A DOWRY
TO MARRIAGE
3.
PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENTS PART OF MARRIAGE CONTRACT
4.
DOWRIES TODAY ARE STILL NB TO SOME PARTS
MEDITERRANEAN
a.
CERTAIN AREAS RURAL GREECE GIRLS TAKE JOBS BEFORE
MARRIAGE TO SAVE MONEY FOR DOWRY
5.
ST. NICHOLAS, OUR ORIGINAL SANTA CLAUS
6.
IN RENAISSANCE TIMES PORTRAYED COMING DOWN CHIMNEYS
ALSO
7.
BUT BROUGHT SACKS OF GOLD TO PROVIDE DOWRIES FOR POOR
BUT HONEST GIRLS
8.
HIS APPEARANCE COULD NOT BE COUNTED ON SO
9
9.
C.
D.
WEALTHY CITIZENS SOMETIMES FORMED ST. NICHOLAS
SOCIETIES TO PROVIDE DOWRIES FOR THESE GIRLS
10.
IN STAINED GLASS WINDOWS OR PAINTINGS DEPICTING HIM,
USUALLY SHOWN DROPPING BAGS OF GOLD INTO LAPS OF GIRLS
WHO HAD FALLEN ASLEEP BY FIREPLACE WAITING FOR HIS
APPEARANCE
11.
IT IS SIGNIFICANT GOLD WENT INTO THEIR LAPS, BECAUSE A
DOWRY WOULD SAFEGUARD THEIR CHASTITY
12.
A GIRL W/O A DOWRY OFTEN HAD NO ALTERNATIVE
a.
BUT TO BECOME PROSTITUTE IN MUNICIPAL BROTHEL
FLORENCE DOWRY FUND
1.
CITY GOVT OF FLORENCE SET UP OWN FUND TO PROVIDE
DOWRIES
a.
MONTE DELLE DOTI
2.
FATHERS COULD ENROLL THEIR DAUGHTERS
a.
WHEN THEY WERE BORN,
b.
PAYING A SMALL FEE
3.
WHEN GIRL MARRIED,
a.
MONTE PAID HER HUSBAND HER DOWRY THAT HAD
ACCUMULATED ADDITIONAL FUNDS
4.
FUNDS TO RUN CITY EVEN BORROWED FROM VAST
ACCUMULATED FUNDS
a.
MUCH AS WE ARE DOING TODAY IN USING SOCIAL
SECURITY MONEY TO FUND GENERAL BUDGET
MARRIAGE & SEXUAL MORES
1.
URBAN WOMAN SUPPOSED TO BE VIRGIN WHEN MARRIED
a.
CF W/PEASANT WOMEN
b.
COUNTRYSIDE NOT MARRY UNTIL BRIDE WAS PREGNANT
2.
CITIES CLOSELY CHAPERONED GIRLS TO KEEP THEM PURE FOR
MARRIAGE
3.
PERUGIA STATUTE C 1400 FORBADE MEN BETWEEN AGES 15-40
TO STAND AROUND CHURCHES ON SUNDAYS & FEAST DAYS IN
ORDER TO ADMIRE WOMEN ATTENDING SERVICES
4.
HEAVY FINES IF MEN WENT INTO AREAS RESERVED FOR FEMALE
WORSHIPPERS
5.
ANOTHER TOWN STATUTE ATTEMPTED TO RESTRAIN MEN
a.
FROM MAKING VERBAL APPROACHES TO WOMEN ON
STREETS,
b.
FROM TOUCHING THEM,
c.
FOLLOWING THEM
d.
OR STANDING OUTSIDE THEIR HOUSES
6.
WOMEN IN RETURN NOT TO LOOK MEN IN EYE
a.
BUT KEEP GLANCES DOWNWARD WHEN WALKING
7.
IF HUSBAND DISCOVERED ON HIS WEDDING NIGHT WIFE NOT
VIRGIN
a.
HE COULD REPUDIATE HER & KEEP DOWRY
8.
YET PUNISHMENT FOR RAPE WAS NOT AS SEVERE AS ONE MIGHT
THINK GIVEN THIS MORES REGARDING VIRGINITY
9.
BASICALLY HIGHER STATUS OF GIRL
a.
MORE ONE WAS PUNISHED
10
b.
E.
F.
BUT RAPE STILL NOT PUNISHED AS SEVERELY AS OTHER
CRIMES
10.
AS YOUNG GIRLS CLOSELY SUPERVISED UNTIL MARRIAGE,
11.
ONCE WEDDED THEY MIGHT SPEND HOURS UNSUPERVISED FOR
FIRST TIME IN LIVES
12.
HUSBANDS WORRIED ABOUT THEIR YOUNG WIVES TAKING
LOVERS
13.
KNOWING NEIGHBORS, ETC. PLACED HORNS ON DOORWAYS OF
WAYWARD WIVES
a.
TO BRING SOCIAL PRESSURE TO BEAR AGAINST
ADULTEROUS WIFE
b.
OR TO MAKE FUN OF DECEIVED HUSBAND
14.
GREAT MANY MUNICIPALITIES ENACTED CRIMINAL STATUTES
AGAINST ADULTERY
a.
MALE ADULTERERS SUBJECT TO A HEAVY FINE
b.
FEMALE ADULTERESSES LIABLE TO PHYSICAL
PUNISHMENT
(1)
WHIPPING COMMON
(2)
MIGHT HAVE HEADS SHAVED
(3)
OR BE EXILED FROM CITY FOR TIME
(4)
DOWRY FORFEITED TO HUSBAND
BIRTH CONTROL
1.
PROVERB IF YOU CAN'T BE GOOD, BE CAREFUL DATES FROM THIS
TIME
2.
CHURCH ALWAYS AGAINST CONTRACEPTIVES
a.
1 OF PRIME SINS AS REFLECTED UNRESTRAINED LUST
b.
& AS GRAVE A SIN AS MURDER & PAGAN WITCHCRAFT
3.
ACT OF ONAN = COITUS INTERRUPTUS METHOD MOST USED
a.
HERBS
b.
ARDUOUS EXERCISES
c.
OINTMENTS
CHILDREN
1.
HIRING WET NURSES POPULAR W/TOWNSPEOPLE
a.
USUALLY FOR 1ST 2 YRS OR MORE
b.
NB TO CHOOSE WOMAN OF GOOD MORAL CHARACTER
c.
BECAUSE CHILDREN WERE ASSUMED TO TAKE IN A
WOMAN'S CHARACTERISTIC ALONG W/HER MILK
d.
IE MICHAEANGLEO'S IMBIBING FAMILY OF STONE CUTTERS
2.
SOME WOMEN NURSED OTHER CHILDREN FOR YEARS
a.
& NB SUPPLEMENT TO HOUSEHOLD INCOME
3.
FATHER'S AUTHORITY OVER HIS CHILDREN ABSOLUTE
a.
UNTIL HE EITHER DIED
b.
OR EMANCIPATED HIS CHILDREN
c.
JUST AS IN ROMAN TIMES
4.
CHILDREN WHO HAD NOT BEEN FORMALLY FREED FROM
PARENTAL CONTROL
a.
NEVER HAD FULL LEGAL STATUS WHILE THEIR PARENTS
LIVED
5.
PASSING A CERTAIN BIRTHDAY WAS NOT ENOUGH IN
RENAISSANCE ITALY
11
6.
G.
VI.
FATHER HAD TO APPEAR BEFORE A JUDGE TO FORMALLY FREE
THEM FROM HIS CONTROL
a.
SAME WORDS USED TO DESCRIBE FREEING SLAVES
7.
VARIED WHEN CHILDREN EMANCIPATED
a.
AT SON'S BETROTHAL
b.
DAUGHTER'S WEDDING
c.
LATER WHEN FATHER OLD
8.
REDISCOVERY OF ROMAN LAW IN 12TH C LED TO THIS FORMAL
EMANCIPATION BEING REINTRODUCED
9.
LARGE FAMILIES BUT HIGH MORTALITY
10.
BLACK DEATH STILL RECURRING 15-16TH CENTURIES
11.
ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN NOT STIGMA AS IN MODERN TIMES
12.
MANY UNWANTED CHILDREN & ORPHANS
13.
RECORDS ATTEST TO SAD CHILDHOODS OF SMALL VAGABONDS
& BEGGARS
a.
OLDER CHILDREN SUPPORTING THEIR SIBLINGS
b.
GIRLS BEING SOLD BY THEIR PARENTS
c.
BABIES LEFT AT CHURCH DOORS
INFANTICIDE
1.
CONTINUATION OF PRACTICE SINCE ANCIENT TIMES
a.
GREEKS 2 BOYS TO 1 GIRL
2.
CHURCH FROM 9TH C IN ITS PENITENTALS WARNED PARENTS
NOT TO SLEEP W/THEIR CHILDREN TO AVOID SUFFOCATING
THEM
3.
BUT OTHER METHODS UTILIZED TO GET RID OF UNWANTED
CHILDREN
4.
ABORTION PRACTICED
a.
FETUS LESS THAN 40 DAYS ABORTED NOT MURDER
(1)
BUT CHURCH WANTED WOMAN TO DO PENANCE
5.
AUTHORITIES TRIED DIABOLICAL PUNISHMENTS AS DETERRENTS
a.
BURIED ALIVE, DROWNING, BURNING AT STAKE
6.
FINALLY RESORTED TO FOUNDLING HOSPITALS AS WAY TO
HANDLE PROBLEM OF
a.
INFANTICIDE, UNWANTED CHILDREN & ORPHANS
7.
ARCHITECT BRUNELLESCHI
a.
WHO HAD JUST COMPLETED DOME OVER CATHEDRAL OF
FLORENCE
b.
DESIGNED FOUNDLING HOSPITAL
c.
1ST BUILDING TO USE REVITALIZED ROMAN CLASSIC
DESIGN THAT CHARACTERIZES RENIASSANCE
ARCHITECTURE
d.
VERY LARGE SIZE REINFORCES GREAT NUMBER OF
CHILDREN ABANDONED
WOMEN & THE CHURCH
A.
REASONS WOMEN REJECTED MARRIED LIFE
1.
THEY CAME FROM SUBSTANTIAL FAMILIES
a.
NOBLE, PATRICIAN, BOURGEOIS
2.
ONLY FEW POOR SISTERS CARED FOR
3.
DAUGHTERS & WIDOWS OF BREWERS & CLOTH MERCHANTS &
12
LANDOWNERS & CITY COUNCILLORS
THESE WOMEN HAD MUCH TO LOSE WHEN THEY THRUST AWAY
WEALTHY & STATUS
5.
& SOUGHT LABOR, POVERTY & ISOLATION
6.
THEIR ACTION BESPEAKS PROFOUND REJECTION OF SOCIAL
WORLD OF THEIR ORIGINS
ST. TERESA OF AVILA
1.
16TH C. SPANISH SAINT
2.
MOST FAMOUS VISIONARY
3.
THERE GREW LOVE OF GOD WITHIN ME THAT I DID NOT KNOW
WHO HAD PLANTED IT THERE. IT WAS ENTIRELY
SUPERNATURAL; I HAD MADE NO EFFORTS TO OBTAIN IT. I
FOUND MYSELF DYING OF THE DESIRE TO SEE GOD & I KNEW NO
WAY OF SEEKING THAT OTHER LIFE EXCEPT THROUGH DEATH
COMMENTS ON MYSTICAL EXPERIENCES OF RENAISSANCE WOMEN
1.
MYSTICAL EXPERIENCES OF REN HOLY WOMEN IMPRESSIVE TO
CONTEMPORARIES AS PROOFS OF SANCTITY
2.
BUT SO WERE ACTS OF PENITENCE & ASCETIC OBSERVANCE
3.
REPETITIOUS PRAYER
4.
ENDLESS GENUFLECTIONS
5.
WEARING OF HAIR SHIRTS
6.
& OTHER INSTRUMENTS OF BODILY MORTIFICATION
a.
SLEEPLESSNESS
b.
WEEPING & HOWLING
c.
SELF- MUTILATION
d.
ISOLATION
e.
CHRONIC ILLNESS PRODUCED BY THESE AUSTERITIES
f.
& ABOVE ALL BY SELF-STARVATION
g.
WERE ACTIONS PERFORMED & CONDITIONS SUFFERED BY
PRACTITIONERS OF CHRISTIAN LIFE
7.
COLOMBA DA RIETA WORE BENEATH HER HAIR SHIRT
8.
CHAINS ADORNED WITH SHARP POINTS AROUND HER HIPS &
ACROSS HER BREAST
9.
THESE SO SCARRED & ABUSED HER BODY THAT 3 WOULD-BE
RAPISTS DETERRED FROM THEIR OBJECT & CONVERTED TO
AWED REVERENCE
10.
FASTING TO EXTREME IS CHARACTERISTIC ASCETIC ACT OF
RENAISSANCE HOLY WOMAN
11.
MALE SAINTS MIGHT GIVE UP
a.
MONEY, PROPERTY & PROGENY
b.
WOMEN GAVE UP FOOD
12.
THESE HOLY WOMEN WHOSE LIVES MARKED BY PAIN &
SUPERNATURAL EXPERIENCE
13.
BY DEPRIVATION & SACRIFICIAL SERVICE
14.
EARNED UNPARALLELED STATURE
15.
HOLY WOMEN INSPIRED LEARNED MEN TO WRITE ABOUT THEIR
LIVES
16.
NOT ONLY LEARNED & PROMINENT PERSONS BUT CROWDS OF
FAITHFUL AWED BY HOLY WOMEN
17.
EVERYWHERE IN THESE REN CENTURIES FEMALE WORSHIPPERS
4.
B.
C.
13
D.
OF GOD AROUSED AWE
a.
FOR THEIR HEROIC ASCETICISM
b.
THEIR UNSTINTING SERVICE
c.
THEIR OTHERWORLDLY VISIONS
d.
THEIR INNER POWER
18.
SO GREAT THESE HOLY WOMEN THEN MANY WOMEN FEIGNED
HOLINESS OR WERE ACCUSED OF DOING SO
19.
CHURCH THUS INVESTIGATED WITH CARE
20.
IT APPEARS FROM RESEARCH DONE THAT DEFINITE INCREASE IN
FEMALE SANCTITY IN RENAISSANCE
21.
ONE SCHOLAR HAS FOUND 260 ITALIAN HOLY WOMEN
a.
NOT ONLY SAINTS
b.
BUT THOSE KNOWN AS BLESSED OR VENERABLE
c.
FROM 1200 TO PRESENT
d.
OF THESE 152 DIED IN 14TH THROUGH 17TH CENTURIES
22.
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN SAINTS ROSE FROM 15% C 1250
23.
24% BY 1300
24.
29% BY 15TH C.
25.
WHILE AT SAME TIME REQUIREMENTS FOR SANCTITY BECAME
TOUGHER
26.
ONLY 87 SAINTS OF 3200 PLUS FOR ALL CHRISTIAN HISTORY TO
END OF 1500 EMERGED DURING LAST 150 YRS OF THAT EPOCH
27.
DURING MOST OF X ERA 5 MALE SAINTS TO EACH FEMALE
28.
BUT AFTER MID 14TH C. 2 1/2 MALE SAINTS TO 1 FEMALE
29.
IN NO OTHER PERIOD DID WOMAN WEIGH SO GREATLY IN
BALANCE OF SANCTITY
CONCLUSIONS
1.
SO OBVIOUSLY STATUS THAT COULD BE GAINED BY FEMALE
SAINT
2.
EXCEEDED THAT WHICH COULD BE GAINED BY MOTHER OF
CHILDREN, WIFE OF MEN OR DAUGHTER OF PATRIARCH
3.
SANCTITY OFFERED HONORABLE REFUGE FROM ANONYMITY &
SUBSERVIENCE OF LIFE IN FAMILY
4.
& SINCE HOLY WOMEN OF REN MORE OFTEN MARRIED OR
WIDOWED THAN IN EARLIER PERIODS
5.
THEIR SPIRITUAL MISSION HAD TO STRUGGLE WITH THEIR
SEXUAL ROLE
6.
FOR IF DAUGHTERS GROWING PROBLEM FOR FAMILIES OF
RENAISSANCE WHO HAD TO MAINTAIN & DOWER THEM
7.
FAMILIES WERE GROWING PROBLEM FOR DAUGHTERS WHO HAD
TO ENDURE STRATEGIES IN WHICH THEY WERE ALWAYS PAWNS
& NEVER PRINCIPALS