Medieval Women Hall of Fame

1. Medieval Women Hall of Fame

2. Lady Godiva • Lifespan: c. 1040 - c. 1070 • Why Lady Godiva was famous? • The legend of Lady Godiva dates back to England in the Middle Ages when the Saxon wife of a Danish Lord rode naked through the streets of Coventry, 'clad in naught but her long tresses', in order to prove that the Saxon inhabitants were honorable and would not look at her. • The legend and story was embellished as time went by detail was added that Lady Godiva had instructed the townsfolk to stay indoors during her ride, everyone did except a man named Tom who could not resist peeking at her, hence the term "Peeping Tom."

3. Anna Comnena • Lifespan: 1083 – 1153/Lived during the reign of the English Kings Henry I and King Stephen • Family connections : Anna was the daughter of Emperor Alexius Comnenus (1048-1118) of the Byzantine Empire and Empress Irene • Early Life and Education: Anna was an extremely well educated woman of the Middle Ages. She studied a variety of subjects including the Greek classics and philosophy, history, geography, mythology, and science • Career: ByzantianPrincess who retired to a convent following the death of her husband. During this time she wrote a book about her life. A Medieval writer and historian. • Why Anna Comnena was famous? • Anna Comnena is considered the world's first female historian. She wrote a book, in 15 volumes dedicated to the biography of her father called the Alexiad.

4. Hildegard of Bingen • Lifespan: 1098 – 1179 • Early Life and Education: At age of 8 her aristocratic family sent Hildegarde to be educated • Career: Hildegard of Bingen took the veil and made her nun's vows at the age of 15. • The visions of Hildegarde of Bingen:  Hildegarde suffered from terrible migraines which many believed led to her visions. • Why Hildegard of Bingen was famous? • Hildegard produced major works of theology and visionary writings - the Scivias. Hildegard of Bingen was also believed to have been the illustrator of the Scivias and therefore one of the few identifiable women artists of the Middle Ages. She was also famous for writing sacred music and also wrote about natural history and medicine. Hildegard of Bingen wrote the Libersimplicismedicinae (Simple Book of Medicine) in 1160. • Hildegard was so well respected that she was consulted by and advised bishops, popes and kings.

5. Queen Matilda • Also Known by the Title: Empress Matilda • Lifespan: 1102 – September 10, 1167 • Family connections: daughter of King Henry I of England • Married: First married the German  Henry V, the Holy Roman Emperor. Second husband was Geoffrey of Anjou • Children: three sons by Geoffrey of Anjou. Her eldest son was Henry (later, King Henry II of England) • Death of Queen Matilda: her epitaph reads: "Here lies the daughter, wife, and mother of Henry." • Character of Queen Matilda: Proud, haughty, disagreeable and  ill-tempered • Why Queen Matilda was famous? • Succeeded to the English throne following the death of her father, King Henry I but was never crowned as Queen of England. The only woman to assume the throne of England during the Middle Ages.

6. Alice Perrers • Lifespan: 1348 – 1400 • Why Alice Perrers was famous:? • Alice Perrers was Lady in waiting to Queen Philippa of Hainault • She became the mistress of the aging King Edward III in 1399 after his queen, Phillippa of Hainault died from the Black Death • King Edward was under the influence of Alice Perrers, and the court became extremely extravagant. • Edward gave her the jewels and robes of Queen Philippa. Alice paraded through London wearing the costly clothes and jewels to a tournament in a triumphal chariot with the title of 'Lady of the Sun‘ • After the death of King Edward III, she was accused of witch craft and banished

7. Christine de Pizan • Lifespan: 1364 -1430 • Family connections : She was the the daughter of TommasodiBenvenutodaPizzano (Thomas de Pizan), a physician, professor of astrology, and Councillor of the Republic of Venice • Early Life and Education: Extremely well educated in languages, literature, science and geometry • Why Christine de Pizan was famous? • After her husband died in 1415, Christine de Pizan sought to support herself as a writer of Ballads and later books. She retired to convent to write. • As a Medieval author and feminist. Her books included The Book of the City of Ladies, The Book of Three Virtues and her autobiography called L'Avision de Christine.

8. Joan of Arc • Also Known by the Nickname: The Maid of Orleans • Lifespan: 1412 – 1431 • Character of Joan of Arc: Highly religious, courageous and determined • Why Joan of Arc was famous? • Rousing the French against the English during the Hundred Years War • As a teen, she began to have visions of angels and heard strange voices, which said to her, "Joan, you can deliver the land from the English. go to the relief of King Charles." • At last these strange visions and voices made the young girl believe that she had a mission from God, and she determined to try to save France. When she told her father and mother of her purpose, they tried to persuade her that the visions of angels and the voices telling her of the divine mission were but dreams. The village priest, her young companions, even the governor of the town, all tried to stop her, but it was in vain.

9. Joan of Arc Continued • Captured and sold to the English for a bounty • She lay in prison for a year, and finally was charged with sorcery and brought to trial. It was said that she was under the influence of the Evil One. • She declared to her judges her innocence of the charge and said, "God has always been my guide in all that I have done. The devil has never had power over me." Her trial was long and tiresome. • At its close she was doomed to be burned at the stake. • Pope Benedict XV canonized Joan of Arc on 16 May 1920.