The Cambridge Companion to Medieval Women's Writing

by David John Wallace

Beginning with an examination of the different stages of women's lives--childhood, virginity, marriage and widowhood, this Companion addresses various aspects of medieval life that affected women's writing. These include the nature of authorship in the period, the position of women at home or in nunneries, and their relationship to religion. Additional essays cover the lives and work of such prominent women writers as Heloise, Marie de France, Christine de Pizan, Julian of Norwich, Margery Kempe and Joan of Arc. A chronology and guides to further reading add information which students and scholars will find invaluable.

Genres: Medieval, History, Nonfiction, Womens

316 pages, Hardcover

First published May 22, 2003

About the author

David Wallace studied at York and Cambridge. Currently Judith Rodin Professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania, he has held visiting positions at Jerusalem, Melbourne, London, and Princeton. He has served as President of the New Chaucer Society, is currently Second Vice President of the Medieval Academy of America, and has made a series of documentaries for BBC Radio 3. He most recently published Europe: A Literary History, 1348-1418 (2016) and Strong Women (2012), both with OUP.

Reviews

[Suhaib · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think commenting is superfluous as to the subject of this book. Anyone interested in medieval studies, especially women writers, must read this book.

[person man · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the 12 page long list of sources/books about medieval England on my syllabus, this was my absolute favorite and the most useful.