KRISTIN ITSCHNERMusic History

Extra Credit Assignment 1The Middle Ages

9-22-10Women in the Middle Ages

The Role of Middle Ages Women

The women of the Middle Ages were totally dominated by the male members of their family.

The women were expected to instantly obey not only their father, but also their brothers and any other male members of the family.

Any unruly girls were beaten into submission and disobedience was seen as a crime against religion.

The Education of Noble Women in Middle Ages

Young noble women as  young as seven girls would be sent away from their home to live with another noble family.

Manners and etiquette were of prime importance, including how to curtsey and how to mix with the greatest nobles in the land.

Continued Time would be spent learning how to dance

and ride. Archery were also taught to young noble women.

The duties of the young noble women would be to look after clothes and the assist ladies with their dressing and coiffure.

High ranking young women would take on the role of ladies-in-waiting and were taught French. Young noble women would also be taught the principles of the Medieval Code of Chivalry and Courtly Love and would join the spectators at jousting tournaments.

Marriage Noble women had very little, if any,

choice in who her husband might be. Marriages would be arranged to

bring prestige or wealth to the family of noble women

Marriage for love was a rare occurrence.

A wealthy marriage of a Noble woman was celebrated by nine days of feasting and jousting.

Appearance of Noble Women of the Middle Ages

The appearance of a noble woman during the Middle Ages was important. A woman aged quickly during this era due to constant child bearing

Numerous pregnancies took their toll on a woman's body. The diet of noble women during the Middle Ages lacked Vitamin C which resulted in bad teeth and bleeding gums.

To retain the appearance of youth a Noble woman of the middle Ages might even dye her hair yellow with a mixture of saffron, cumin seed, celandine and oil

Continued Face make-up was applied to acquire

a pale look. A pale complexion was so desirable

that women were bled to achieve the desired look. Face paint made from plant roots and leaves was also applied.

Picture Works Sited http://seoulbeats.com/wp-content/upload

s/2009/10/frenchmiddleages_20091020_seoulbeats.jpg

http://www.zeitlerweb.com/img/1485women.jpg

http://www.umanitoba.ca/cm/vol10/no12/womenandgirlsinthemiddleages.jpg

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ZSJFT4XJL._SL500_.jpg

http://www.aup.edu/publications/books_fullcover/rosenstein_middleages.gif

Info Works Sited google, . "Noble Women in Middle Ages."

Google, n.d. Web. 19 Sep 2010. <http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/noble-women-in-the-middle-ages.htm>.