Powerful Women in Their Own Words

Flash review by Inês Olaia | 06.06.2024

On the 16th and 17th of May the projects eReginae and “Pouvoir au féminin et mécénat: Portugal, France, Bourgogne (XIIe- début to XVIe siècle)” held the Powerful Women in Their Own Words conference. During the two days of the event, scholars specialised in Late Medieval and Early Modern Portugal, Castile, Aragon, England and France discussed women’s writings and intentions, examining their last wills, political writings and letters.

Throughout the two days, it was demonstrated that the writings provided rich overviews of the studied women’s roles, interests and networks of power and affinity, their influence and agency, and how they acted as patrons, regents, and lords. In some cases, these writings also evidence power struggles between the women studied and the ones around them: they struggle against other rulers or their subordinates, support their husbands and fight to have their orders acknowledged. Even last wills, as formulaic as they are, can showcase women’s interests and affiliations. In sum, the conference allowed for a wider and comparative approach between women’s writings and their circumstances, enabling the researchers to pose new questions.

For more information, check the eReginae project website.