The Role of Women In Medieval Society

The church taught that women were inferior to men, because of the Biblical story of Adam and Eve-women led me into sin The church taught that women were inferior to men, because of the Biblical story of Adam and Eve-women led me into sin Noblewomen lived under the control of men first as daughters and then as wives Noblewomen lived under the control of men first as daughters and then as wives Widows were allowed to run their own estates Widows were allowed to run their own estates Noblewomen could inherit a fief, but were not permitted to rule it Noblewomen could inherit a fief, but were not permitted to rule it

Noblewomen took full charge of the manor when their husbands were away fighting Noblewomen took full charge of the manor when their husbands were away fighting She would be responsible for She would be responsible for supervising the vassals and the serfs supervising the vassals and the serfs Conduct matters of business Conduct matters of business Collect taxes Collect taxes Provide direction for the defense of the castle if needed Provide direction for the defense of the castle if needed

Women of the lower classes had the following responsibilities Women of the lower classes had the following responsibilities Raising children Raising children Food preparation Food preparation Cloth weaving Cloth weaving the same farm work as men the same farm work as men Widows had to work the lord’s land and pay the taxes in place of their husbands Widows had to work the lord’s land and pay the taxes in place of their husbands

In towns women worked with the husbands in their businesses In towns women worked with the husbands in their businesses Women earned lower wages than men Women earned lower wages than men