Medieval Women
Life was harsh for women in the middle ages. Women were homemakers, with many jobs and responsibilities in regards of looking after her family and house. Some women worked on the land with men however would be paid less. It was a male dominated society and no one was overly concerned about this. Women were primarily expected to maintain the household and help their husband in his area of business. Their mundane everyday tasks included: purchasing food, cooking meals, cleaning, making beds, looking after personal garden etc.
In the Middle ages children were taught, males were superior than women and from an early age females must obey their male relatives until married. Once women were married they must comply to their husbands wishes. Marriage had little to do with love but was completely arranged by both parents. Wealthier families usually married their daughters off earlier than poorer families as these families preferred to keep their children in the family to help with the daily chores. Divorce was very rare and society only approved of divorce if distinct society rights or laws were broken. For example if a women was unfertile and unable to have children the husband may be granted a divorce or if it was found out that the wife was related to husband!
Clothing in the Middle Ages seemed diverse however what you were allowed to wear was determined on the Feudal System. The majority of women wore a practical, shapeless, woolen dress that was fastened by a belt or girdle around the waist. Dresses were usually an off-white or a brown shade because dye was very expensive. Shawls of fur or wool were draped over women’s shoulders for warmth. They wore pieces of leather simply wrapped around their feet as shoes. The wealthier dresses were died with colour, tailored shaped and decorated with adornments.
In the Middle ages children were taught, males were superior than women and from an early age females must obey their male relatives until married. Once women were married they must comply to their husbands wishes. Marriage had little to do with love but was completely arranged by both parents. Wealthier families usually married their daughters off earlier than poorer families as these families preferred to keep their children in the family to help with the daily chores. Divorce was very rare and society only approved of divorce if distinct society rights or laws were broken. For example if a women was unfertile and unable to have children the husband may be granted a divorce or if it was found out that the wife was related to husband!
Clothing in the Middle Ages seemed diverse however what you were allowed to wear was determined on the Feudal System. The majority of women wore a practical, shapeless, woolen dress that was fastened by a belt or girdle around the waist. Dresses were usually an off-white or a brown shade because dye was very expensive. Shawls of fur or wool were draped over women’s shoulders for warmth. They wore pieces of leather simply wrapped around their feet as shoes. The wealthier dresses were died with colour, tailored shaped and decorated with adornments.