Great piece! I think it's important to remember that projecting modesty and minimizing your own achievements/abilities was a standard rhetorical device in Medieval writing. I don't think it necessarily means she was purposefully trying to minimize the intellectual capabilities of women by seriously suggesting she was not worthy of engaging in the public debates. Rather, I think she is purposefully inserting herself into these traditions of mainstream philosophical discourse.
Another interesting element of her writing was her intense engagement with contemporary politics. She was personally connected to the civil war between the Burgundians and the Dauphin's forces and was one of the few public supporters of Isabeau as regent.
An fun unexpected cross over is that she wrote the first literary work about Joan of Arc and clearly viewed her as the culmination of her hope that women could temper the violence and warmongering of the time. Perhaps mercifully she almost certainly died before Joan was executed
Excellent point, @Francesca. It is interesting to note that the self-deprecating opening is still useful and sometimes used even in online discussions. It seems particularly effective when something like “I certainly don’t claim to know everything about . . .” precedes a detailed and obviously expert response, delivered in devastatingly courteous and precise terms. Christine’s education seemed to have prepared her well for jousting with words!
Thank you very much for this beautiful presentation ! You really master the balance between her truths and the concretely threatening context she finds herself in. Your work is a great source of inspiration and the uncovering of female wisdom, courage and the whole tragedy of womanhood.
I know that especially within the Alchemy of the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance (the metaphysical science of the time, so to speak) there were also a number of very knowledgeable and revolutionary women. Among others, Tycho Brahe's sister. I'm also pretty sure that most of them were exiled by history, just like in most other disciplines. So that the man could remain the dominant party. Unfortunately, therefore, it will probably take a great deal of deliberate digging to bring them back to light.
I know that even during the same period there was a whole branch of the society of scholars, consisting of highly educated women of great spiritual authority (especially in southern Europe), which was called 'Beata', plural 'Beatae'.
All of which over time – and people like you – will hopefully be brought back to light.
( Unfortunately, I myself am far too busy with my own alchemy - of the soul - to also research the past ditto ).
Great piece thank you. But I always think it’s harsh to fail people from 500 yrs ago by applying today’s standards. If she’d lived today, I suspect she wouldn’t have been “appalled”. Even assuming she brought her C15th baggage with her, surely she’d have fairly quickly (and far more readily than many people alive today) got on board with more recent developments? “Oh, women needn’t be chaste anymore, and religion is optional? Let me think about all that. Ok, I get it, good!” We need to cut her a lot of slack due to her circumstances, outnumbered roughly 100,000 to one, by powerful enemies many of whom would happily have seen her burned as a witch. (And if she hadn’t had to drag her baggage with her, what a formidable force she’d have been today.)
Thank you for this introduction to her! I’ve heard of Christine de Pizan and even read an extract of her defending her views on Romance of the Rose but I’ve never read a proper introduction so this was very illuminating for me!
I read today a chapter in Alessandro Barbero’s books on notable women in the Middle Ages about her! Serendipitously reading your piece now and thinking Christine/Cristina is the “saint” patron of all us writers ❤️
Well, maybe you don’t know about Christine. My mother first taught me about her 50 years ago, and I’ve had the privilege of teaching about her for 30 years. But I’m glad to see evidence of your learning and passing your knowledge on to others.
I think it’s important to remember when we read Christine’s work that her appeals to piety, chastity, modesty and weakness are necessary in order for her work, life and professional position to even exist. She overstepped the bounds of what was usually allowed of 14C French women and *needs* to show submission. Joan of Arc’s story being a case in point.
The lives of Margery Kempe and Julian of Norwich demonstrate the same theme; Margery has to convince her husband that God has forbidden her to lay in the marriage bed in order for him to not assert his rights to get her pregnant for the 15th time. It works (eventually) and she runs away and doesn’t stop moving. She is put in great peril often by consequence and has to persistently argue whist also crucially submitting. Her persistent weeping can be considered as a symptom of this material reality.
Julian had herself bricked up in the walls of Norwich Cathedral, which probably doesn’t need much further commentary.
Submission, piety and chastity were roles all three of these women needed to display in order for their safety. It’s an inbuilt component for their work to exist.
I think early women’s writing really benefits from this lens. A similar case is easily made concerning money.
Thank you for writing about this incredible woman.
Great piece! I think it's important to remember that projecting modesty and minimizing your own achievements/abilities was a standard rhetorical device in Medieval writing. I don't think it necessarily means she was purposefully trying to minimize the intellectual capabilities of women by seriously suggesting she was not worthy of engaging in the public debates. Rather, I think she is purposefully inserting herself into these traditions of mainstream philosophical discourse.
Another interesting element of her writing was her intense engagement with contemporary politics. She was personally connected to the civil war between the Burgundians and the Dauphin's forces and was one of the few public supporters of Isabeau as regent.
An fun unexpected cross over is that she wrote the first literary work about Joan of Arc and clearly viewed her as the culmination of her hope that women could temper the violence and warmongering of the time. Perhaps mercifully she almost certainly died before Joan was executed
Excellent point, @Francesca. It is interesting to note that the self-deprecating opening is still useful and sometimes used even in online discussions. It seems particularly effective when something like “I certainly don’t claim to know everything about . . .” precedes a detailed and obviously expert response, delivered in devastatingly courteous and precise terms. Christine’s education seemed to have prepared her well for jousting with words!
Thank you very much for this beautiful presentation ! You really master the balance between her truths and the concretely threatening context she finds herself in. Your work is a great source of inspiration and the uncovering of female wisdom, courage and the whole tragedy of womanhood.
I know that especially within the Alchemy of the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance (the metaphysical science of the time, so to speak) there were also a number of very knowledgeable and revolutionary women. Among others, Tycho Brahe's sister. I'm also pretty sure that most of them were exiled by history, just like in most other disciplines. So that the man could remain the dominant party. Unfortunately, therefore, it will probably take a great deal of deliberate digging to bring them back to light.
I know that even during the same period there was a whole branch of the society of scholars, consisting of highly educated women of great spiritual authority (especially in southern Europe), which was called 'Beata', plural 'Beatae'.
All of which over time – and people like you – will hopefully be brought back to light.
( Unfortunately, I myself am far too busy with my own alchemy - of the soul - to also research the past ditto ).
Thanks a lot for your work.
Loved reading this! On the topic of prominent Medieval women, an article on Margery Kempe and postpartum depression/psychosis would be cool!
That's an excellent idea, thank you for the suggestion and I'm glad you enjoyed the article :)
Thank you so much for this. I hadn't heard of her.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed!
Thank you so much for this enjoyable and enlightening piece, carefully argued and clearly written. And those gorgeous miniatures! 💖
Great piece thank you. But I always think it’s harsh to fail people from 500 yrs ago by applying today’s standards. If she’d lived today, I suspect she wouldn’t have been “appalled”. Even assuming she brought her C15th baggage with her, surely she’d have fairly quickly (and far more readily than many people alive today) got on board with more recent developments? “Oh, women needn’t be chaste anymore, and religion is optional? Let me think about all that. Ok, I get it, good!” We need to cut her a lot of slack due to her circumstances, outnumbered roughly 100,000 to one, by powerful enemies many of whom would happily have seen her burned as a witch. (And if she hadn’t had to drag her baggage with her, what a formidable force she’d have been today.)
Thank you for this introduction to her! I’ve heard of Christine de Pizan and even read an extract of her defending her views on Romance of the Rose but I’ve never read a proper introduction so this was very illuminating for me!
fantastic paintings
Worlds first feminist! Misogyny! What a cool lady. Great piece
Thanks!! She was a very cool lady indeed
nice...
Very much enjoyed this, thank you.
I read today a chapter in Alessandro Barbero’s books on notable women in the Middle Ages about her! Serendipitously reading your piece now and thinking Christine/Cristina is the “saint” patron of all us writers ❤️
Well, maybe you don’t know about Christine. My mother first taught me about her 50 years ago, and I’ve had the privilege of teaching about her for 30 years. But I’m glad to see evidence of your learning and passing your knowledge on to others.
This is great! Though I do have to put in a strong word for Cassiane the Hymnographer as great medieval female writer
They were witches, check my notes
Thank you for this article!
I think it’s important to remember when we read Christine’s work that her appeals to piety, chastity, modesty and weakness are necessary in order for her work, life and professional position to even exist. She overstepped the bounds of what was usually allowed of 14C French women and *needs* to show submission. Joan of Arc’s story being a case in point.
The lives of Margery Kempe and Julian of Norwich demonstrate the same theme; Margery has to convince her husband that God has forbidden her to lay in the marriage bed in order for him to not assert his rights to get her pregnant for the 15th time. It works (eventually) and she runs away and doesn’t stop moving. She is put in great peril often by consequence and has to persistently argue whist also crucially submitting. Her persistent weeping can be considered as a symptom of this material reality.
Julian had herself bricked up in the walls of Norwich Cathedral, which probably doesn’t need much further commentary.
Submission, piety and chastity were roles all three of these women needed to display in order for their safety. It’s an inbuilt component for their work to exist.
I think early women’s writing really benefits from this lens. A similar case is easily made concerning money.
Thank you for writing about this incredible woman.