Epistle to Marguerite de Navarre and Preface to a Sermon by John Calvin (The Other Voice in Early Modern Europe)

Born to a noble family in Tournai, Marie Dentière (1495-1561) left her convent in the 1520s to work for religious reform. She married a former priest and with her husband went to Switzerland, where she was active in the Reformation's takeover of Geneva. Dentière's Very Useful Epistle (1539) is the first explicit statement of reformed theology by a woman to appear in French. Addressed to Queen Marguerite of Navarre, sister of the French king Francis I, the Epistle asks the queen to help those persecuted for their religious beliefs. Dentière offers a stirring defense of women and asserts their right to teach the word of God in public. She defends John Calvin against his enemies and attacks the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church. Her Preface (1561) to one of Calvin's sermons criticizes immodesty and extravagance in clothing and warns the faithful to be vigilant. Undaunted in the face of suppression and ridicule, this outspoken woman persisted as an active voice in the Reformation. Annotation Born to a noble family in Tournai, Marie Dentiegrave;re (1495-1561) left her convent in the 1520s to work for religious reform. She married a former priest and with her husband went to Switzerland, where she was active in the Reformation's takeover of Geneva. Dentiegrave;re's Very Useful Epistle (1539) is the first explicit statement of reformed theology by a woman to appear in French. Addressed to Queen Marguerite of Navarre, sister of the French king Francis I, the Epistle asks the queen to help those persecuted for their religious beliefs. Dentiegrave;re offers a stirring defense of women and asserts their right to teach the word of God in public. She defends John Calvin against his enemies and attacks the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church. Her Preface (1561) to one of Calvin's sermons criticizes immodesty and extravagance in clothing and warns the faithful to be vigilant. Undaunted in the face of suppression and ridicule, this outspoken woman persisted as an active voice in the Reformation When Marie Dentière Left Her Convent In The 1520s To Work For Religious Reform, She Married A Former Priest And Went To Switzerland Where She Was Active In The Reformation's Takeover Of Geneva. In This Book, Dentière Offers A Defence Of Women And Asserts Their Right To Teach The Word Of God In Public. Marie Dentière ; Edited And Translated By Mary B. Mckinley. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 95-105) And Index. To the most Christian princess Marguerite of France, Queen of Navarre, Duchess of Alencon and of Berry, M[arie] D[entiere] of Tournai wishes salvation and abundance of grace, through Jesus Christ. Marie Dentiere walks onto the stage of Reformation Geneva in fleeting, intermittent scenes.