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hrjSession 442 -- Women as Lords
Marriage and Lordship: Some Examples from Eleventh- and Twelfth-Century Normandy (Kirsten A. Fenton)
The increasing concern of the church with marriage (esp. consanguinity issues) brought it into conflict with secular rulers who had other marriage concerns. But archepiscopal opposition to William of Normandy's marriage to Mathilda rebounded on the church, not on W&M. Noble women's power in marriage depended on access to and control over territory. Donations recorded in cartularies are valuable for tracing women's power as it related to property. Three main concerns: control of property; administration of justice; provisions for spiritual well-being. Noble brides often given land as dowry on marriage, but even lesser families drew attention to women's claims on dowry land (e.g., when land was being donated or sold). Some transmission chains of dowry land indicates that it might be controlled by the female holders through multiple generations, rather than simply being folded in with the husband's property. "Lordship" might be indicated by a person's actions on behalf of others' spiritual welfare, e.g., by donations on behalf of others.
Promoting Female Lordship in Thirteenth-Century France (Katrin E. Sjursen)
The case of Blanche of Navarre illustrates the possibilities for women's power via their own positions (in her case, countess of Champagne) not only via husbands or sons. Centralized power in France could actually increase the power of female nobles as they might be supported by the king in return for monetary considerations. But having received a toehold via royal support, Blanche asserted her own power within the county, even against the central government, especially by following the same process of centralization that had benefitted her. Centralization created distance between the king and the lands he ruled, while strengthening the position of intermediaries, on which stable administration depended. In all of King Philip's interactions with Blanche during the minority of her son, she is referred to as Countess of Champagne while her son, Thibault, is given no title. This emphasizes her status as ruler, not as regent. When Thibault came of age, Blanche retired to a convent but continued to be active in the administration of the county, as evidenced by her possession of copies of administrative correspondence.
Gendering Charters: Jeanne of Constantinople, Countess of Flanders and Hainaut (1212-44) (Els De Paermentier)
Jeanne was her father's heir as part of a system for protecting family possessions for transmission to the next generation, either via a husband or son. Her life can be seen in three stages: her first marriage to Ferrand of Portugal, through his captivity and death; her widowhood; and her second marriage to Thomas of Savoye. Lordship is both the legal right to rule and the pragmatic ability to command obedience and loyalty. Initially, Jeanne had a limited role, primarily due to age, but for the majority of her life (both marriages) she was given an equal role with her husbands in legal actions (as documented by charters). Other data on relative status comes from the ordering of their names in the charters (normally his first) and whether the charter specifically has her husband confirming her actions (and vice versa). But during the imprisonment of her first husband, Jeanne's charters indicate her sole power to take action. Similarly, during her second husband's long absences, Jeanne's charters specifically note her right to take action at her own discretion as his legate.
Marriage and Lordship: Some Examples from Eleventh- and Twelfth-Century Normandy (Kirsten A. Fenton)
The increasing concern of the church with marriage (esp. consanguinity issues) brought it into conflict with secular rulers who had other marriage concerns. But archepiscopal opposition to William of Normandy's marriage to Mathilda rebounded on the church, not on W&M. Noble women's power in marriage depended on access to and control over territory. Donations recorded in cartularies are valuable for tracing women's power as it related to property. Three main concerns: control of property; administration of justice; provisions for spiritual well-being. Noble brides often given land as dowry on marriage, but even lesser families drew attention to women's claims on dowry land (e.g., when land was being donated or sold). Some transmission chains of dowry land indicates that it might be controlled by the female holders through multiple generations, rather than simply being folded in with the husband's property. "Lordship" might be indicated by a person's actions on behalf of others' spiritual welfare, e.g., by donations on behalf of others.
Promoting Female Lordship in Thirteenth-Century France (Katrin E. Sjursen)
The case of Blanche of Navarre illustrates the possibilities for women's power via their own positions (in her case, countess of Champagne) not only via husbands or sons. Centralized power in France could actually increase the power of female nobles as they might be supported by the king in return for monetary considerations. But having received a toehold via royal support, Blanche asserted her own power within the county, even against the central government, especially by following the same process of centralization that had benefitted her. Centralization created distance between the king and the lands he ruled, while strengthening the position of intermediaries, on which stable administration depended. In all of King Philip's interactions with Blanche during the minority of her son, she is referred to as Countess of Champagne while her son, Thibault, is given no title. This emphasizes her status as ruler, not as regent. When Thibault came of age, Blanche retired to a convent but continued to be active in the administration of the county, as evidenced by her possession of copies of administrative correspondence.
Gendering Charters: Jeanne of Constantinople, Countess of Flanders and Hainaut (1212-44) (Els De Paermentier)
Jeanne was her father's heir as part of a system for protecting family possessions for transmission to the next generation, either via a husband or son. Her life can be seen in three stages: her first marriage to Ferrand of Portugal, through his captivity and death; her widowhood; and her second marriage to Thomas of Savoye. Lordship is both the legal right to rule and the pragmatic ability to command obedience and loyalty. Initially, Jeanne had a limited role, primarily due to age, but for the majority of her life (both marriages) she was given an equal role with her husbands in legal actions (as documented by charters). Other data on relative status comes from the ordering of their names in the charters (normally his first) and whether the charter specifically has her husband confirming her actions (and vice versa). But during the imprisonment of her first husband, Jeanne's charters indicate her sole power to take action. Similarly, during her second husband's long absences, Jeanne's charters specifically note her right to take action at her own discretion as his legate.
