I nodded, putting one hand on my chest to silence my heart. I did understand. Even these women, for all their love and faith, for all their respect within the community, were still just pawns in the game, powerless to change the rules, so intent on enforcing them instead. Their motives might have been pure but theirs was a prudent love, care shown in the constrained way that was appropriate for women of our station. I would find sympathy here, but little else.
I dont't think these women were necessarily bad, nor am I badmouthing the church in any way here. There were certain restraints put on women of the time, especially those with some degree of status, and what we in modern times may view as cowardice or apathy more than likely stemmed from self-preservation and/or a sincere belief in their lack of ability to change things.
