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Mary Ward: First Sister of Feminism
Almost exactly 400 years ago, an English woman completed an astonishing walk to Rome.
An English Catholic, Mary Ward had already defied the authorities in England. In 1621 she walked across Europe to ask the Pope to allow her to set up schools for girls. 'There is no such difference between men and women that women may not do great things,' she said.
But Mary’s vision of equality between men and women angered the Catholic Church and the Pope threw her into prison. This is a story just waiting to be told!
The story shines a refreshingly new light on the popular Tudor/Stuart era. Mary’s uncles are the Gunpowder Plotters. Her sponsors are Archdukes, Prince-Archbishops and the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. In Rome she spars with Pope Urban VIII and the Roman Inquisition, just as they are also dealing with Galileo.
As the story sweeps from Yorkshire to Rome, from Vienna and Munich to Prague and back to England, we see Mary dodging pirates in the Channel, witch hunts in Germany and the plague in Italy. We see travellers crossing the Alps, and prisoners writing letters in invisible lemon juice to smuggle them past their gaolers. The settings range from the resplendent courts in Brussels and Munich to the siege of York in the English Civil War. The reader is immersed in seventeenth-century life.
An English Catholic, Mary Ward had already defied the authorities in England. In 1621 she walked across Europe to ask the Pope to allow her to set up schools for girls. 'There is no such difference between men and women that women may not do great things,' she said.
But Mary’s vision of equality between men and women angered the Catholic Church and the Pope threw her into prison. This is a story just waiting to be told!
The story shines a refreshingly new light on the popular Tudor/Stuart era. Mary’s uncles are the Gunpowder Plotters. Her sponsors are Archdukes, Prince-Archbishops and the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. In Rome she spars with Pope Urban VIII and the Roman Inquisition, just as they are also dealing with Galileo.
As the story sweeps from Yorkshire to Rome, from Vienna and Munich to Prague and back to England, we see Mary dodging pirates in the Channel, witch hunts in Germany and the plague in Italy. We see travellers crossing the Alps, and prisoners writing letters in invisible lemon juice to smuggle them past their gaolers. The settings range from the resplendent courts in Brussels and Munich to the siege of York in the English Civil War. The reader is immersed in seventeenth-century life.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published October 29, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 30, 2021
What an absolute joy it was to read this book about an amazing figure of early feminism, written by a man!
Finally, not only female authors find it important to learn and tell the world more about influential women in history. Here comes a man, Sydney Thorne, introducing rarely-discussed Mary Ward to us, and paying her due respect. This is an informative read, and since the tone of voice is not too formal, very entertaining and easy-going too.
You'll be shocked to learn how many things have not changed a bit in women's life, rights or status since the 17th century, and how much Mary Ward did to empower other women, facilitate girls' education and take a step towards gender equality.
I am thankful for NetGalley and Pen&Sword for this Advance Reading Copy.
Finally, not only female authors find it important to learn and tell the world more about influential women in history. Here comes a man, Sydney Thorne, introducing rarely-discussed Mary Ward to us, and paying her due respect. This is an informative read, and since the tone of voice is not too formal, very entertaining and easy-going too.
You'll be shocked to learn how many things have not changed a bit in women's life, rights or status since the 17th century, and how much Mary Ward did to empower other women, facilitate girls' education and take a step towards gender equality.
I am thankful for NetGalley and Pen&Sword for this Advance Reading Copy.
September 4, 2021
Sydney Thorne Mary Ward: First Sister of Feminism Pen & Sword History 2021
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof copy for review.
The theme of this book has its beginning in Mary Ward’s walk to Rome in 1621- the mark of a woman who was different from most of her Catholic companions, different from the people she met and attempted to cajole into seeing matters her way, and different from those who sought to diminish her. A rather modern tale in many ways. Where it has its roots in historical events is in her family background as a member of the family responsible for the Gunpowder Plot, her support from powerful people, her life during the Inquisition and the English Civil War.
Mary Ward was determined to establish girls’ schools, seeing their needs as no different from those of boys. Imprisoned for such a radical belief, Mary Ward’s determination only grew. However, her path, chosen in many ways by herself, was not one dimensional or always focussed. Rather, her spiritualism led her into byways and changes of heart throughout the progression of her establishment of the schools. Despite such developments, she was essentially successful: schools for girls established through her work remain part of the education system in many countries today.
Sydney Thorne has brought together a strong woman with determination to achieve her aim – certainly one aspect of a feminist as the title claims. Her spiritualism, drawing her into a range of responses to success, is even reminiscent of the way modern feminists are prepared to consider new ideas, new aspects of their ideology, and pursue alternative ways of achieving their purpose. There are useful endnotes and, most thrilling, photos that provide the information for one’s own walk reflecting some of Mary Ward’s travels.
Where I could not engage fully with the book was in what I thought was a somewhat uneasy writing style. An open and friendly style is a hallmark of the Pen & Sword series, and it usually works well. To produce history as an accessible and appealing story is a feat in itself – and a worthy one. However, in this case I felt the intention was somewhat strained – but acknowledge this may certainly not be the experience of other readers. Apart from this reservation, I found that Mary Ward: First Sister of Feminism lived up to its title. It is a strong and valid reminder that a Catholic sister was relevant to making the world a less discriminatory place for girls and women. Thank you, Sydney Thorne for this well researched book with its abundance of photographs and historical material.
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof copy for review.
The theme of this book has its beginning in Mary Ward’s walk to Rome in 1621- the mark of a woman who was different from most of her Catholic companions, different from the people she met and attempted to cajole into seeing matters her way, and different from those who sought to diminish her. A rather modern tale in many ways. Where it has its roots in historical events is in her family background as a member of the family responsible for the Gunpowder Plot, her support from powerful people, her life during the Inquisition and the English Civil War.
Mary Ward was determined to establish girls’ schools, seeing their needs as no different from those of boys. Imprisoned for such a radical belief, Mary Ward’s determination only grew. However, her path, chosen in many ways by herself, was not one dimensional or always focussed. Rather, her spiritualism led her into byways and changes of heart throughout the progression of her establishment of the schools. Despite such developments, she was essentially successful: schools for girls established through her work remain part of the education system in many countries today.
Sydney Thorne has brought together a strong woman with determination to achieve her aim – certainly one aspect of a feminist as the title claims. Her spiritualism, drawing her into a range of responses to success, is even reminiscent of the way modern feminists are prepared to consider new ideas, new aspects of their ideology, and pursue alternative ways of achieving their purpose. There are useful endnotes and, most thrilling, photos that provide the information for one’s own walk reflecting some of Mary Ward’s travels.
Where I could not engage fully with the book was in what I thought was a somewhat uneasy writing style. An open and friendly style is a hallmark of the Pen & Sword series, and it usually works well. To produce history as an accessible and appealing story is a feat in itself – and a worthy one. However, in this case I felt the intention was somewhat strained – but acknowledge this may certainly not be the experience of other readers. Apart from this reservation, I found that Mary Ward: First Sister of Feminism lived up to its title. It is a strong and valid reminder that a Catholic sister was relevant to making the world a less discriminatory place for girls and women. Thank you, Sydney Thorne for this well researched book with its abundance of photographs and historical material.
March 23, 2025
I've been to York a few times, and didn't really want to do the big sights again, so consulted Atlas Obscura to find something different. A suggestion was the relic of St Margaret Clitherow, a 16th century Catholic who was executed in a rather gruesome way for harbouring priests. Always interested in women's history, I set off, and found it in the Bar Convent, just outside the walls of York.
The convent houses an order of nuns, established a little after St Margaret's time by an early pioneer of women's education, Mary Ward. For a long time, it was a school, but now operates as a historical center with a retirement home for the now elderly members of the order. With an excellent cafe and very good guided tour, its well worth an hour or two if you're ever in that part of the world.
This biography of Mary Ward takes us from her early life in a Catholic family in York through her long quest to establish her order. In 16th century England, Catholics were not allowed to openly practice their religion, and so she left for France. She struggled with the requirement that all nuns remain in enclosed orders, wanting to establish an order dedicated to teaching girls and not accountable to local bishops. She managed to establish a number of schools, with support but always struggling for official approval. Eventually, after her death, the Bar Convent in York was set up as a girls school and continued until the 1980s.
Its a remarkable story of determination, bravery and faith, perhaps all the more so because she was by no means the only woman trying to educate girls at the time. The book makes tantalising hints of Ursuline nuns, and other women doing similar work. The role of religious women in Catholic resistance to the dominant religion in England is also touched on, but not taken further.
For me, this opened up a whole new area of women's history to explore. The book is an easy read, with a good range of end notes pointing to further sources but not at all academic.
The convent houses an order of nuns, established a little after St Margaret's time by an early pioneer of women's education, Mary Ward. For a long time, it was a school, but now operates as a historical center with a retirement home for the now elderly members of the order. With an excellent cafe and very good guided tour, its well worth an hour or two if you're ever in that part of the world.
This biography of Mary Ward takes us from her early life in a Catholic family in York through her long quest to establish her order. In 16th century England, Catholics were not allowed to openly practice their religion, and so she left for France. She struggled with the requirement that all nuns remain in enclosed orders, wanting to establish an order dedicated to teaching girls and not accountable to local bishops. She managed to establish a number of schools, with support but always struggling for official approval. Eventually, after her death, the Bar Convent in York was set up as a girls school and continued until the 1980s.
Its a remarkable story of determination, bravery and faith, perhaps all the more so because she was by no means the only woman trying to educate girls at the time. The book makes tantalising hints of Ursuline nuns, and other women doing similar work. The role of religious women in Catholic resistance to the dominant religion in England is also touched on, but not taken further.
For me, this opened up a whole new area of women's history to explore. The book is an easy read, with a good range of end notes pointing to further sources but not at all academic.
May 11, 2023
What a fascinating book this turned out to be. I’d never heard of Mary Ward and I’m so glad I now have. Religious sister Mary Ward (1585-1645) was a remarkable woman. Her sole aim in life was to establish schools for girls. She believed in the equality of men and women in an age where few agreed with her, and that girls should be educated as well as boys. She also believed that women should be actively involved in the life of the Catholic Church, not simply as members of the congregation or as nuns, and that nuns should not be cloistered, Not difficult to imagine how these ideas were received by the establishment. So determined was she to set up her schools that she did it in defiance of the Catholic Church, with her band of devoted followers, even walking all the way to Rome to try to convince the Pope. Although she faced opposition throughout her life, her legacy lives on and there is now a network of around 200 Mary Ward schools in over 40 countries.
Stylistically I had a few gripes, not least the author’s predilection for exclamation marks. And one or two flights of fancy sometimes intrude, for example, “…as Mary Ward was standing in front of mirror one morning getting dressed….”. Not sure as a religious she would have had a mirror at that time, nor can the author know she stood in front of one.
What I did like were the codas at the end of chapters, with such refrains as “walking walking, walking, venturing, taking chances” and similar, followed by some general historical points about the times. However these disappear later and I felt that was a shame.
However, overall this is a well-written, thoroughly researched and engaging biography and a worthy tribute to this amazing woman.
Stylistically I had a few gripes, not least the author’s predilection for exclamation marks. And one or two flights of fancy sometimes intrude, for example, “…as Mary Ward was standing in front of mirror one morning getting dressed….”. Not sure as a religious she would have had a mirror at that time, nor can the author know she stood in front of one.
What I did like were the codas at the end of chapters, with such refrains as “walking walking, walking, venturing, taking chances” and similar, followed by some general historical points about the times. However these disappear later and I felt that was a shame.
However, overall this is a well-written, thoroughly researched and engaging biography and a worthy tribute to this amazing woman.
November 20, 2021
As an alumni of a Loreto school, I was really honoured and intrigued to be able to read this book. It was amazing to read about the journey that Mary Ward took to establish her schools and it was particularly awe-inspiring to be able to reflect on my years at school and the lasting impact that what Mary Ward did over 450 years ago.
I went into this book a little hesitant as I find that faith in the written word to sometimes come across as quite intense so it was very refreshing to discover that the author is somewhat agnostic (it is not overtly stated however there are points where they insert their interpretation of visions from God) and in fact were just so wholly impressed by the lasting impact of Mary Ward and the many ways that their life had been touched by her. This book also provides a really interesting snapshot into Europe in the late 1500s to mid 1600s.
I went into this book a little hesitant as I find that faith in the written word to sometimes come across as quite intense so it was very refreshing to discover that the author is somewhat agnostic (it is not overtly stated however there are points where they insert their interpretation of visions from God) and in fact were just so wholly impressed by the lasting impact of Mary Ward and the many ways that their life had been touched by her. This book also provides a really interesting snapshot into Europe in the late 1500s to mid 1600s.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews