The Secret Lives of Single Medieval Women

Unveiling the Untold Stories of Women in the Middle Ages

For centuries, medieval history books have told the stories of noble queens, dutiful housewives, and cloistered nuns but what about the single women who lived, worked, and thrived in medieval Europe? The Secret Lives of Single Medieval Women reveals the overlooked yet fascinating lives of middle age women who did not fit the conventional mold. From unmarried tradeswomen and widows to vowesses and nuns, these women carved their own paths in a world that often sought to define them by their marital status.

Single, independent, and often underestimated these women left their mark on history. While medieval and Middle Ages society dictated that a woman's worth was tied to marriage and family, countless single women built lives of resilience and ingenuity. Some ran successful businesses, others devoted themselves to education or faith, and many simply found ways to survive within a rigid social structure. This book sheds light on their stories, proving that history is far richer and more complex than the narratives we've been told.

Discover the vibrant and often surprising lives of single women in the Middle Ages. Whether running businesses, navigating religious life, or simply surviving societal expectations, these women played a crucial role in shaping medieval society. Rich with historical records, poetry, and legal documents, this medieval history book brings to light the personal stories of those often left out of traditional narratives.

Blending meticulous research with engaging storytelling, The Secret Lives of Single Medieval Women challenges outdated perceptions and brings history's forgotten women back to life.

“I can thoroughly recommend it for both students and those with a less academic enthusiasm for medieval history, who will be whisked back to those ‘days of olde’ from the comfort of their armchair. Most enjoyable and educational!”

—Toni Mount, MA, BA (Hons), Dip Creative Writing and Literature, Dip European Humanities, Cert Ed, internationally bestselling author

“In this book, The Secret Lives of Single Medieval Women, Rosalie once again brings to us remarkable insights into the little-known and often challenging world of single women in the Middle Ages. The depth of her research is noteworthy and her ability to bring it all together with clarity and the additional sprinkling of humorous insights makes this book highly engaging, educational, and entertaining.”

—Edith Cuffe, OAM, Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology

“Scholarly but not stuffy. If you are looking for an informative but fun book on Mediaeval women, you will find it between these pages. This well-written book guides one with a gentle hand through all the classes of unmarried women throughout the Mediaeval era. A must-read for all those modern women who wish to understand the role of our unmarried ancestors in the Middle Ages. Essential reading for the novice reenactor and student of early history alike. And good fun to read.”

—Susanna Newstead, authoress of historical murder/mystery fiction series the Savernake Novels

“This book sheds light on the reality of single medieval women, not just the two-dimensional depictions in movies. Ms. Gilbert not only has researched her subject thoroughly, but her engaging style brings these women to life with examples of actual medieval women.”

—Susan Thatcher, The Grand Duchy of Medieval Merriment

Rosalie Gilbert is passionate about living history, experimental archaeology, and women in the Middle Ages. She is a member of the Queensland Living History Federation.

She has been a guest speaker on medieval feminine hygiene and The Very Secret Sex Lives Of Medieval Women at the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology, the Queensland Museum's After Dark Program for the British Museum's Medieval Power: Symbols and Splendor exhibition, the University of The Third Age's Winterschool Program, the University Pavilion at the Abbey Medieval Festival, and various women's social groups.

She works in medical imaging in a busy city hospital in Australia. Her hobbies include historical sewing, curating her collection of medieval artifacts, lying about being at work so she can stay home with her rescue kitty, and eating nachos not especially in that order.

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