Widowhood In Medieval And Early Modern Europe (women And Men In History)

This new collection of essays brings together brand new research on widowhood in medieval and early modern Europe. The volume opens with an introductory chapter by the Editors which looks generally at the conditions and constructions of widowhood in this period. This is followed by a range of essays which illuminate different dimensions of widowhood across Europe - in England, Italy, France, Germany and Spain. A particular attraction of the volume is the attention given to widowers, and the comparisons made between the male and female experience of widowhood. It is an exciting reinterpretation of the subject which will do much to undo the traditional stereotype of the widow.Contributing to the volume are: Jodi Bilinkoff, Giulia Calvi, Sandra Cavallo, Isabelle Chabot, Julia Crick, Amy Erikson, Dagmar Freist, Elizabeth Foyster, Margaret Pelling, Pamela Sharpe,Tim Stretton, Barbara Todd, and Lyndan Warner. This new collection of thirteen essays brings together innovative research on, and makes comparisons between, widows and widowers in medieval and early modern Europe. The dimensions of widowhood are explored in England, Italy, France, Germany, and Spain, and these essays make foreign language research available to the reader. Using case studies of several European countries, this volume traces the emergence of the conventional association of widowhood with women and studies widowhood as a predominantly female experience from both the male and the female perspectives. Bringing together new research on widowhood, this collection of essays looks at the experience of both widows and widowers. It challenges traditional stereotypes and illuminates the lives of women in England, Italy, France, Germany and Spain Edited By Sandra Cavallo And Lyndan Warner. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 240-261) And Index.