Medieval Women
A review of Michelle Rosenberg’s book Medieval Women
written by Fiona Dowson
Medieval Europe is dominated with strong male characters. King Henry V, Warwick the Kingmaker, Geoffrey Chaucer, they all stride across the pages of history. Hiding in the shadows are the women, seldom mentioned but always there and subject of Michelle Rosenberg’s book ‘Medieval Women’, published by Pen and Sword Publishing in 2024.
“This text weaves together a rich and broad historic tapestry of women's stories from the fall of the Roman Empire, the invasion of the Vikings, the First Crusade, Hundred Years War and Black Death.”
Rosenberg considers women from throughout history. The name of Aethelflaed, Lady of Mercia, is familiar only because of Bernard Cornwell’s Last Kingdom series in which she is cast (probably fairly accurately) as intelligent and an able politician. Standing against the invading Norse, Aethelflaed ruled alone at a time when kings were chosen by and needed the support of the wise men of the Witan. She really should be more famous
Matilda of Flanders, wife of William the Conqueror, stood as regent, taking care of the family business of the Duchy of Normandy in his absence. It’s a typical female role, running everything when a husband is away but stepping back when he returns. This suggests that Matilda had a hand in the day to day running of the estate but she remains here very much as a wife with the role of First Lady that Michelle Obama would recognize.
Eleanor of Aquitaine, known to us as the mother of King Richard the Lionheart, had power and wealth of her own, being Duchess of Aquitaine in her own right, her first marriage was to the King of France. Incredibly she accompanied her husband on a crusade. It’s difficult to picture a rich and pampered queen living life in the saddle and travelling with an army. Much of Eleanor’s life reads like something from a swords and sorcery fantasy novel rather than simply history. It is her second marriage that Eleanor is known for. Eleanor bore King Henry II no less than eight children. When her sons rebelled against their father Eleanor sided with the princes which earned her fifteen years as a prisoner on the orders of her estranged husband.
Rosenberg devoted a whole chapter to Rosamond de Clifford, one of Henry II’s mistresses. It’s a less satisfying story as much less is known about The Fair Rosamond who seems to have been no match for the strong and determined Eleanor.
A very different character is Julian of Norwich who penned Revelations of Divine Love, the first book known to have been written in English by a woman. You can still visit her anchoress’ cell. Her book is still available as a Penguin paperback. Little is known about Julian’s life apart from the Revelations she left behind. This really is the heart of Rosenberg’s challenge.
The frustrating aspect of Medieval history is that we have so little evidence. What little we do know is inevitably about the men who fought and who ruled.
Rosenberg has produced a work of twenty eight chapters, each one dealing with the life of a different woman. Her choice of women seems a little random. Many are famous, some virtually unknown. All the characters are intriguing, often strong and determined. The difficulty is that so many of them exist only as queen consorts, as mothers to or daughters of famous kings.
With little primary source knowledge to utilise Rosenberg has given us a thumb nail sketch of people who could, with a little more panache, step up from the shadows of history to provide a younger generation with powerful role models.
For historians this book will seem to be a little underwhelming. For writers of fiction this will provide a great resource. As always with Medieval history, the truth is stranger than anything which could spring from imagination. If anyone knows of an epic biography of any of the women listed here, please do let me know. Rosenberg has whetted my appetite and I’m keen to learn more. You will be too.
Fiona Dowson is a Norwich based storyteller.
She runs the Robin Hood’s Merry Men Facebook Group