Year 8 English
Representation of Women
MIDDLE AGES
Other examples:
- Saint Margaret of Antioch – Patron saint of childbirth
Poetry
- Beowulf
- Wealhtheow (Queen of the Spear-Danes)
- Grendal’s mother
- Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales
- The Loathly Lady in The Wife of Bath’s tale (There is also an easy to read version in print. Just ask Ms Bright)
Prose
- Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur (King Arthur)
- Guinevere
- Morgan Le Fay
This is a small selection of print resources recommended by your Teacher Librarians. They contain information about the historical and social background of women in Medieval English society as well as drawing on examples from art and literature of the period.
You can locate these books using the shelf Call No indicated.
You will also find more resources by searching the Library Catalogue.
909.07
305.42
Bellamy, L., & Moorse, K. (1996). The changing role of women. John Murray.
909.07
Cels, M. (2005). Arts and literature in the Middle Ages. Crabtree Publishing Company.
821.1
Geoffrey Chaucer’s outrageous comic tales from the 14th century are retold for children in this edition.
398.20941
Day, D. (1995). The quest for King Arthur. De Agostini Editions.
This book explores the historical, mythical and literary origins of all major figures, including Guinevere and Morgan Le Fay.
305.40902
Dean, R., & Thomson, M. (2003). Women of the middle ages. Lucent.
398.20941
Hastings, S. (1985). Sir Gawain and the loathly lady. Walker Books.
Legendary Sir Gawain has his courage and chivalry tested to the full when he swears to save the honour of his King by marrying the Loathly Lady.
305.40902
Eastwood, K. (2004). Women and girls in the Middle Ages. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Describes the roles and duties of women and girls of all social classes during the Middle Ages.
829.3
Hicks, P., & McLean, J. (2007). Beowulf. Kingfisher.
This is a novelised retelling of one of English literature’s greatest stories. Dramatic line drawings bring the exciting story about a brave Scandinavian warrior to life. The story tells of Beowulf’s adventures, as he slays the ogre Grendel, who has been terrorising a neighbouring king’s land.
829.3
Hinds, G. (2007). Beowulf. Candlewick Press.
This is a graphic novel edition of this ancient classic.
305.40902
Hopkins, A. (2004). Damsels not in distress : the true story of women in medieval times. Rosen.
The image of the damsel in distress is rampant in medieval literature. In fact, as shown in this fascinating book, women were participants in the culture of the time. They were often heads of noble households, and played an active role in the church and in industry. Women were at the heart of medieval Europe’s textile industry. With primary source material and illuminated manuscripts, this book shows the impact of women during this historic period, including these fascinating stories of famous women.
398.20941
Kerven, R., & Humphries, T. (1998). King Arthur. Dorling Kindersley.
The tales of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table have been told and retold down the centuries. This retelling captures the spellbinding element of the rise to power of the boy fate decrees will be the “Once and Future King”, his reign and his tragic, yet triumphant, passing.
.
305.4094
Macdonald, F. (2000). Women in medieval times. Belitha Press.
398.20941
St Michael, J. (1995). King Arthur. The History Press.
.
305.4094
Bardsley, S. (2007). Women’s roles in the Middle Ages. Greenwood Press.
Use your keywords to search for information in Britannica school encyclopedia.
Magazine article
Leggett, J. (2020). Defender of women. All about history, 094, pp. 46-51.
Christine de Pizan was undoubtable one of the most revolutionary writers in history. She broke the mould at the time when both society and literature were dominated by men, building a career that was unprecedented for women in the Middle Ages.
Here are some websites that your Teacher Librarians have evaluated for your use. If you search the free internet yourself be sure to evaluate the website. Refer to Thinking Critically about Web Information.
Note: Be mindful that much of what is on the free internet for this topic is content created by students and you don’t know what marks they received. It is best to use websites that come from an authoritative source.
- Bovey, A. (n.d.). The Middle Ages. British Library. http://www.bl.uk/the-middle-ages
- Bovey, A. (2014). Women in medieval society. British Library. https://www.bl.uk/the-middle-ages/articles/women-in-medieval-society
From attitudes to original sin to the roles of wives, mothers and nuns, this article examines the role of women in medieval society. Illustrations from primary source material from this period is examined.
- Beowulf (Animated Epics)
- ABC Splash. (2014). A women’s life in medieval Europe. http://abcspla.sh/m/1608452
Header Image Reference:
Lady and the Unicorn [Image]. [ca. 1500]. https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/the-lady-and-the-unicorn/