Avid reader, and Lincoln WI member, Wendy Hope, reviews Women in Thirteenth Century Lincolnshire by Louise J Wilkinson.
As a ‘yellow belly’ with a keen interest in women’s history, I was delighted when Lincoln WI invited me to read and review Louise J. Wilkinson’s book Women in the Thirteenth-Century Lincolnshire. The book offers an insight into the lives of women across the whole of society, from noblewomen through to criminal women. By citing evidence from wills, charters, government records and various other contemporary documents, Wilkinson explores thirteenth century women’s experiences throughout their lives. Her intention is to ask how far women played a role alongside men during this period in history.
In chapter one, through the case studies of three Lincolnshire noblewomen, the common place idea that thirteenth-century women were only adjuncts to their male relatives is challenged. Though Wilkinson admits that ‘there were periods in the lives of all three women when they were little more than pawns in the hands of their male relations’, nevertheless Nicholaa de la Haye, Hawise de Quency and Margaret de Lacy’s political influence and achievements in public office reveal that, when able to, thirteenth-century women were ready to take opportunities in order to gain power and influence.
Wilkinson also exemplifies women further down the social scale using their skills to improve the lot of their families. In chapter three we are introduced to townswomen engaging in trade separately from their husbands as femmes soles. Though evidence of such women is difficult to find, Wilkinson surmises that townswomen who paid window-toll were likely engaged in manufacturing or retail occupations, as they often had surnames linked to production: Matilda the Mustardmaker, Agnes la Tavener, Amabel la Girdeler.
While I found Women in Thirteenth-Century Lincolnshire a challenging read at times due to its academic register, I am pleased I persevered. It gave a fascinating insight into the lives of medieval women throughout their lifecycles and the role they played alongside men.
The Lincoln WI 