Gender RolesGender RolesWhat place did men and What place did men and women have in society?women have in society?

Were men the bosses?Were men the bosses?

It is very important to realise that men AND women It is very important to realise that men AND women had important roles in EME.had important roles in EME. YOU WON’T GET POINTS IN ESSAYS BY SLAGGING OFF YOU WON’T GET POINTS IN ESSAYS BY SLAGGING OFF

WOMEN !WOMEN !

1616thth and 17 and 17thth C women in England were more restricted C women in England were more restricted than they are today, but compared to other societies than they are today, but compared to other societies they had more advantages.they had more advantages. Men and women had rights under the law (both Men and women had rights under the law (both

could sue and be sued)could sue and be sued) Both could buy, sell, own property and give it away Both could buy, sell, own property and give it away

in their wills.in their wills. Both had important roles in the economy, and the Both had important roles in the economy, and the

raising of families.raising of families. Both had , according to the church, an immortal soulBoth had , according to the church, an immortal soul

Role of Men in EMERole of Men in EME

Public life, Church, Family and Economy (4 spheres of life)Public life, Church, Family and Economy (4 spheres of life)

Public =Public = Men had first right to throne (before elder female Men had first right to throne (before elder female

siblings)siblings) Only men could be in Parliament = also only men could Only men could be in Parliament = also only men could

vote in parliamentary electionsvote in parliamentary elections All legal officials - judges, jurors, lawyers – were men. All legal officials - judges, jurors, lawyers – were men.

Women’s only role was specific to female prisoners.Women’s only role was specific to female prisoners. All military officers were men (women generally had to All military officers were men (women generally had to

men’s jobs while they were away fighting)men’s jobs while they were away fighting)

Men carried most of the burden of public duties, they Men carried most of the burden of public duties, they often had to act for their wives in areas where a single often had to act for their wives in areas where a single woman would do it herselfwoman would do it herself Reinforces idea of being subject to the husbandReinforces idea of being subject to the husband

Role of Men in EME cont..Role of Men in EME cont..

ChurchChurch Women could not be priests or ministersWomen could not be priests or ministers Nuns were very influential in Roman Catholic Nuns were very influential in Roman Catholic

church but they had little formal powerchurch but they had little formal power Only men could preach in publicOnly men could preach in public Lay officials (non-religious) were almost all menLay officials (non-religious) were almost all men

EconomyEconomy Less exclusively male but still dominated by men.Less exclusively male but still dominated by men. Men owned most of the land and ran businessesMen owned most of the land and ran businesses Women were not allowed to compete with men for Women were not allowed to compete with men for

jobs, even if they were capablejobs, even if they were capable Mostly men that inherited land (even if there were Mostly men that inherited land (even if there were

daughters)daughters)

Role of Men in EME cont..Role of Men in EME cont..

Family life for a ManFamily life for a Man Man was head of the family – if they didn’t Man was head of the family – if they didn’t

exercise that responsibility they were ridiculedexercise that responsibility they were ridiculed Had to provide $$ supportHad to provide $$ support Household management usually done by women, Household management usually done by women,

but some men shared rolebut some men shared role Men had little to do with kids when they were Men had little to do with kids when they were

young – not included in childbirthyoung – not included in childbirth Men typically raised the boys and wives raised the Men typically raised the boys and wives raised the

girlsgirls Plenty of opportunities for women to do things by Plenty of opportunities for women to do things by

themselves – men were excluded from themselves – men were excluded from Childbirth; raising of babies; female discussion Childbirth; raising of babies; female discussion

groups groups

ROLE OF ROLE OF WOMENWOMEN

Why were women Why were women considered inferior to considered inferior to

men?men?

RELIGIOUS REASONSRELIGIOUS REASONS

EVE WAS CREATED AFTER ADAM, AND FROM HIS BODY. EVE WAS CREATED AFTER ADAM, AND FROM HIS BODY. THEREFORE, MAN WAS SUPERIOR TO WOMENTHEREFORE, MAN WAS SUPERIOR TO WOMEN

A WOMAN HAD TEMPTED ADAM TO EAT THE FORBIDDEN FRUITA WOMAN HAD TEMPTED ADAM TO EAT THE FORBIDDEN FRUIT

WOMEN WERE PROHIBITED FROM SPEAKING IN CHURCHWOMEN WERE PROHIBITED FROM SPEAKING IN CHURCH

MEDICAL REASONSMEDICAL REASONS

MANS PHYSICAL STRENGTH MEANT MEN WERE SUPERIORMANS PHYSICAL STRENGTH MEANT MEN WERE SUPERIOR

MEN WERE THOUGHT TO HAVE LARGER BRAINSMEN WERE THOUGHT TO HAVE LARGER BRAINS

SOME MEDICAL WRITERS CONSIDERED WOMEN “DEFORMED SOME MEDICAL WRITERS CONSIDERED WOMEN “DEFORMED MALES” AT CONCEPTIONMALES” AT CONCEPTION

THE EMOTIONAL CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH THE MENSTRUAL THE EMOTIONAL CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE MEANT WOMEN WERE INCAPABLE OF MAKING RATIONAL CYCLE MEANT WOMEN WERE INCAPABLE OF MAKING RATIONAL CHOICESCHOICES

SOCIAL REASONSSOCIAL REASONS

MEDIEVAL SOCIETY HAD PLACED GREAT IMPORTANCE ON MEDIEVAL SOCIETY HAD PLACED GREAT IMPORTANCE ON FIGHTING SKILLS WHICH REQUIRED WEAPONS OF GREAT FIGHTING SKILLS WHICH REQUIRED WEAPONS OF GREAT STRENGTHSTRENGTH

THE NATURAL DISADVANTAGES WOMEN HAD IN THE NATURAL DISADVANTAGES WOMEN HAD IN PERFORMING HARD PHYSICAL LABOUR GAVE MEN AN PERFORMING HARD PHYSICAL LABOUR GAVE MEN AN ADVANTAGE IN PHYSICAL WORKADVANTAGE IN PHYSICAL WORK

CLEARLY, SOME WOMEN ARE STRONGER THAN SOME MEN - CLEARLY, SOME WOMEN ARE STRONGER THAN SOME MEN - THIS FACT WAS IGNORED IN WRITINGS AT THE TIMETHIS FACT WAS IGNORED IN WRITINGS AT THE TIME

IT WAS FELT WOMENS ROLE WAS AT HOME LOOKING AFTER IT WAS FELT WOMENS ROLE WAS AT HOME LOOKING AFTER THE CHILDRENTHE CHILDREN

WOMENS ROLES : PUBLIC AND PRIVATEWOMENS ROLES : PUBLIC AND PRIVATE

LEGAL POSITIONLEGAL POSITION

o A WARNING: DON’T ASSUME WOMEN HAD NO RIGHTS UNDER LAW. SOME ESSAYS A WARNING: DON’T ASSUME WOMEN HAD NO RIGHTS UNDER LAW. SOME ESSAYS ALSO ARE VAGUE OR EXTREME ON THISALSO ARE VAGUE OR EXTREME ON THIS

o COMPLICATED SITUATION: WOMEN HAD SPECIAL PROTECTION. COMPLICATED SITUATION: WOMEN HAD SPECIAL PROTECTION.

o EG FEME SOLE: AN UNMARRIED WOMAN ( FEME SOLE) HAD MORE LEGAL RIGHTS THAN EG FEME SOLE: AN UNMARRIED WOMAN ( FEME SOLE) HAD MORE LEGAL RIGHTS THAN HER MARRIED SISTER: FEME COVERTHER MARRIED SISTER: FEME COVERT

o THE DOCTRINE OF COVERTURE WAS IMPORTANT. THIS MEANS A MARRIED COUPLE ARE THE DOCTRINE OF COVERTURE WAS IMPORTANT. THIS MEANS A MARRIED COUPLE ARE ONE PERSON - AND THAT ONE PERSON IS THE HUSBANDONE PERSON - AND THAT ONE PERSON IS THE HUSBAND

o THE HUSBAND WAS LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS WIFE AND CHILDRENTHE HUSBAND WAS LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN

o WOMEN HAD FEW RIGHTS OVER HER BODY. WIFE BEATING WAS LEGAL, BUT WAS WOMEN HAD FEW RIGHTS OVER HER BODY. WIFE BEATING WAS LEGAL, BUT WAS FROWNED UPON BY SOCIETYFROWNED UPON BY SOCIETY

o HER EARNINGS BECAME THE HUSBANDS, AS DID ANY INHERITANCESHER EARNINGS BECAME THE HUSBANDS, AS DID ANY INHERITANCES

CONTINUEDCONTINUED

EXEMPTIONS TO COVERTURE EXISTED EG LONDON. EXEMPTIONS TO COVERTURE EXISTED EG LONDON. WOMEN COULD TRADE HERE DUE TO LOCAL CUSTOMSWOMEN COULD TRADE HERE DUE TO LOCAL CUSTOMS

A WOMAN COULD CONSENT TO MARRY AT 12 , COMPARED A WOMAN COULD CONSENT TO MARRY AT 12 , COMPARED TO 14 FOR A BOY. HOWEVER, THE AVERAGE WAS 26TO 14 FOR A BOY. HOWEVER, THE AVERAGE WAS 26

A MARRIED WOMAN HAD THE RIGHT TO BE MAINTAINED A MARRIED WOMAN HAD THE RIGHT TO BE MAINTAINED BY HER HUSBANDBY HER HUSBAND

LOCAL AUTHORITIES COULD MAKE A WOMAN AGED 14 TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES COULD MAKE A WOMAN AGED 14 TO 40 GO INTO SERVICE UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF A MAN.40 GO INTO SERVICE UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF A MAN.

AS A GENERAL RULE, WOMEN IN EME HAD MORE LEGAL AS A GENERAL RULE, WOMEN IN EME HAD MORE LEGAL RIGHTS THAN COUNTERPARTS IN WESTERN EUROPERIGHTS THAN COUNTERPARTS IN WESTERN EUROPE

PUBLIC OFFICEPUBLIC OFFICE

WOMEN COULD NOT VOTE IN ELECTIONS, SIT IN THE HOUSE WOMEN COULD NOT VOTE IN ELECTIONS, SIT IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, BE JURORS OR SHERIFFSOF COMMONS, BE JURORS OR SHERIFFS

WOMEN ONLY CAME INTO PUBLIC SPHERES WHEN FEMALE WOMEN ONLY CAME INTO PUBLIC SPHERES WHEN FEMALE AND MALE SPHERES CAME INTO CONTACT EG WITCHCRAFT AND MALE SPHERES CAME INTO CONTACT EG WITCHCRAFT CASES - TESTIFYING ABOUT MARKS.CASES - TESTIFYING ABOUT MARKS.

WOMEN PERFORMED WORK SUCH AS WARDENS FOR WOMEN PERFORMED WORK SUCH AS WARDENS FOR FEMALE PRISONERS, NURSES, WARDROBE MISTRESSESFEMALE PRISONERS, NURSES, WARDROBE MISTRESSES

CHURCHCHURCH

WOMEN COULD NOT HOLD OFFICE IN THE CHURCH. WOMEN COULD NOT HOLD OFFICE IN THE CHURCH. PROTESTANTISM BANNED NUNNERIESPROTESTANTISM BANNED NUNNERIES

WOMEN WERE IMPORTANT IN LOCAL PARISHESWOMEN WERE IMPORTANT IN LOCAL PARISHES

Women in the EconomyWomen in the Economy

Still male-dominated but not as much as other parts Still male-dominated but not as much as other parts of societyof society

Many widows were allowed to keep running their Many widows were allowed to keep running their late husband’s business eg. Livery companies late husband’s business eg. Livery companies (clothing etc)(clothing etc)

Some women licensed as surgeons but main Some women licensed as surgeons but main occupations were in schools, hospitals, food and occupations were in schools, hospitals, food and hospitality industry.hospitality industry.

Match termsMatch terms

CovertureCoverture Feme CovertFeme Covert Feme SoleFeme Sole Livery companiesLivery companies Jury of matronsJury of matrons

Unmarried womanUnmarried woman Examined some women Examined some women

prisonersprisoners Allowed some women Allowed some women

to practice their late to practice their late husband’s tradehusband’s trade

Married womanMarried woman Doctrine that said Doctrine that said

husband wife legally husband wife legally one personone person

The Female SphereThe Female Sphere

Women had their own lives, very separate to menWomen had their own lives, very separate to men

When they met together away from men, all modesty When they met together away from men, all modesty was lost.was lost.

They had their own separate economy of gift and They had their own separate economy of gift and exchange – embroidery, textiles, food and plants – all exchange – embroidery, textiles, food and plants – all gifts contributed to their standard of living somehow.gifts contributed to their standard of living somehow.

Women had very close friends, who they met regularly, Women had very close friends, who they met regularly, confided in, and when apart wrote letters which confided in, and when apart wrote letters which revealed ‘passionate friendships’revealed ‘passionate friendships’ Perhaps they did this to try and lessen the impact of Perhaps they did this to try and lessen the impact of

restrictions on their lifestyle?restrictions on their lifestyle?

Whatever the reason it is clear that despite the Whatever the reason it is clear that despite the restrictions placed on women they still led full, active restrictions placed on women they still led full, active lives – much of it away from their husbands !lives – much of it away from their husbands !

What factors affected family life What factors affected family life and the role of women?and the role of women?

High death rate (30/1000 pa) greatest disrupter to High death rate (30/1000 pa) greatest disrupter to family life. Many people died while their children were family life. Many people died while their children were still young (and dependent). Some families even died out still young (and dependent). Some families even died out completely.completely.

Re-marriage and blended families caused problems.Re-marriage and blended families caused problems.

High mortality in young kids – only ¾ of children lived till High mortality in young kids – only ¾ of children lived till 15.15.

Long illnesses and permanent disability impoverished Long illnesses and permanent disability impoverished families.families.

Unemployment could lead to men leaving family to find Unemployment could lead to men leaving family to find workwork

Even upper class families had to endure separation if Even upper class families had to endure separation if Dad was JP, MP or royal officials.Dad was JP, MP or royal officials.

Long Term TrendsLong Term Trends

Final stages of enclosure may have affected some Final stages of enclosure may have affected some familiesfamilies Enclosure – fencing in of common grazing land to Enclosure – fencing in of common grazing land to

make it private property = increased numbers of make it private property = increased numbers of unemployed.unemployed.

Fall in real wages – led to falling living standards – Fall in real wages – led to falling living standards – made people wait longer to get marriedmade people wait longer to get married

Internal (to cities from rural areas) and overseas Internal (to cities from rural areas) and overseas migration also affected many families.migration also affected many families. Many men took off to live in American colonies – to Many men took off to live in American colonies – to

escape religious persecution in some cases. The escape religious persecution in some cases. The people that were on the Mayflower were Puritans – people that were on the Mayflower were Puritans – extreme Protestants.extreme Protestants.

Crisis SituationsCrisis Situations

Poor harvests in 1590’s, 1620’s and 1648-1652 Poor harvests in 1590’s, 1620’s and 1648-1652 disrupted the economy and led to increased internal disrupted the economy and led to increased internal migration – people looking for jobs and food.migration – people looking for jobs and food.

Epidemic diseasesEpidemic diseases Often followed bad harvestsOften followed bad harvests Bubonic plague most feared – happened in London Bubonic plague most feared – happened in London

in 1563, 1578, 1582, 1593, 1625 and 1664-5. Last in 1563, 1578, 1582, 1593, 1625 and 1664-5. Last one most well-knownone most well-known

‘‘New ague’ – probably a severe form of influenza New ague’ – probably a severe form of influenza in 1558/9in 1558/9

Smallpox in 1562 – nearly killed Elizabeth ISmallpox in 1562 – nearly killed Elizabeth I

Disrupted economy

Diseases caused instability

Unintended mobility as they run away from

disease

Killed family members

Civil WarCivil War

Crawford suggests that the Civil War intensified the Crawford suggests that the Civil War intensified the existing problems and risksexisting problems and risks

Civil War led to death of about 10% of all the men in Civil War led to death of about 10% of all the men in England – largest casualty rate before WW1England – largest casualty rate before WW1 Large numbers in armies separated husbands from Large numbers in armies separated husbands from

families, postponed marriage and lowered birth families, postponed marriage and lowered birth raterate

Families sufferedFamilies suffered Men away from home; high taxation to run armies; Men away from home; high taxation to run armies;

disruption to trade; compulsory billeting of disruption to trade; compulsory billeting of soldiers.soldiers.

Clergymen lost their incomes when parishes taken Clergymen lost their incomes when parishes taken by enemyby enemy

Effect on Women of Civil WarEffect on Women of Civil War

Women affected by war – had to run their homes, look after Women affected by war – had to run their homes, look after soldiers, prepare food, act as prostitutes, fire wardenssoldiers, prepare food, act as prostitutes, fire wardens

They contracted diseases from soldiersThey contracted diseases from soldiers

Suffered great deal of emotional harmSuffered great deal of emotional harm Some families were divided in warSome families were divided in war

Lady named Mary Rich daughter of Parliamentarian Lady named Mary Rich daughter of Parliamentarian Admiral and sister-in-law of Royalist commandeer.Admiral and sister-in-law of Royalist commandeer.

Susan, Countess of Denbigh, husband on Royalist, her Susan, Countess of Denbigh, husband on Royalist, her eldest son on other side. eldest son on other side.

Women became much more politically active during the Civil Women became much more politically active during the Civil WarWar

Women favoured peace initiatives – some joined radical sects. Women favoured peace initiatives – some joined radical sects. They petitioned Parliament in support of Levellers – But never They petitioned Parliament in support of Levellers – But never asked for the vote.asked for the vote.

Restoration period was time of relative ‘normality’ in families.Restoration period was time of relative ‘normality’ in families.

ESSAYESSAY

Describe the nature of family life in EME between 1558-Describe the nature of family life in EME between 1558-1667. Evaluate the extent of stability and change in 1667. Evaluate the extent of stability and change in family life between 1558-1667.family life between 1558-1667.

Incl.Incl. Description of situation Description of situation in context.in context. Analysis of continuity vs changeAnalysis of continuity vs change Evaluate influence of issue on peopleEvaluate influence of issue on people

POSS INTROPOSS INTRO The family unit was very important in early modern The family unit was very important in early modern

England. Men and women had very distinct roles England. Men and women had very distinct roles inside this unit but both were considered vital. inside this unit but both were considered vital. Families were based on love and loyalty, and they Families were based on love and loyalty, and they faced many challenges to their stability from 1558-faced many challenges to their stability from 1558-1667. Many of these challenges forced changes to 1667. Many of these challenges forced changes to the roles of men and women as parents and partners.the roles of men and women as parents and partners.

Description in contextDescription in context

What was meant by ‘family’ AT THE TIMEWhat was meant by ‘family’ AT THE TIME

Through family wealth and property passed on - Through family wealth and property passed on - primogeniture. Explain why.primogeniture. Explain why.

Social status of family (either governNING class or Social status of family (either governNING class or goverNED) had impact on roles of members – give goverNED) had impact on roles of members – give examples, e.g. economic and emotional roles.examples, e.g. economic and emotional roles.

War affected stability and coherence of familiesWar affected stability and coherence of families

Continuity and change Continuity and change over timeover time

Great deal stayed same – Great deal stayed same – people wanted stability people wanted stability and to keep orderand to keep order

Nuclear family was most Nuclear family was most common - wife at home; common - wife at home; man in chargeman in charge

Governing classes saw Governing classes saw marriage as best way to marriage as best way to maintain wealth and maintain wealth and propertyproperty

Gradual relaxation of Gradual relaxation of parent’s role in choosing parent’s role in choosing partnerpartner

Many factors affecting Many factors affecting stability of family stability of family weren’t under controlweren’t under control

Eg. High death rate; Eg. High death rate; need to find work; need to find work; poverty (various poverty (various reasons); disease reasons); disease outbreaks; trade outbreaks; trade disruptions due to war or disruptions due to war or epidemicsepidemics

Increasing urbanisationIncreasing urbanisation Civil WarCivil War

Divided familiesDivided families Dramatic increase in Dramatic increase in

death ratedeath rate Spread of diseaseSpread of disease Land loss/gain from war – Land loss/gain from war –

also loss of statusalso loss of status Women taking on man’s Women taking on man’s

role during warrole during war

Influence of situation on Influence of situation on peoplepeople

Should discuss influence of war; poor harvests in Should discuss influence of war; poor harvests in 1590’s; plague, urbanisation of working men.1590’s; plague, urbanisation of working men.

Also include disruptions due to re-marriage, Also include disruptions due to re-marriage, widowhood, arranged marriages (though these less widowhood, arranged marriages (though these less important than war)important than war)

There was a lot that could have destabilised the There was a lot that could have destabilised the family unit, but it managed to maintain its integrity family unit, but it managed to maintain its integrity throughout this periodthroughout this period Therefore could not have been as weak as some Therefore could not have been as weak as some

historians have assumed.historians have assumed.