Medieval Women

What does it mean to be a woman, what are qualities that should be apparent to someone of this designation? In modern society, this comes across as an almost trick question, there is no correct answer that all would agree on. Yet, this does not mean that this has always been the case or, that expectations of women have not changed over time. In fact, the exact opposite is true with the feminine role being vastly different and in many cases broader in the modern era than seen in the past. Europe in the medieval period, is no exception to this, while it is very general to say all people in the Middle Ages thought that a woman's role was the same thing. Looking at readings from the age can help summarize ideal female qualities and general expectations …show more content…
One quality that was ideal for a medieval woman was total subservience. Subservience, for a medieval lady, meant more or less, complete compliance to the male who was in charge of her welfare, with his desires being more important. The women are subservient because of a desire to please, and it can be understood as an ideal quality because not only is it mentioned in both of lais both of the characters who are completely subservient are considered ‘good’ women, they are not mocked for the quality but praised. In the case of lais Le Fresne and Eliduc, it refers specifically to the male whom the heroine has pledged her devotion. In both cases, the women, Fresne and Guildeluec, are extremely subservient to their loves, despite it being against their self-interest. In Le Fresne this total subservience is demonstrated after she has already become the paramour of her lord, and has been established in his home. “Fresne was hidden away, and her lover to marry the other. When she had found out that he had done this, she didn’t sulk about it; she continued to serve her …show more content…
These women as a paramour while they would have ultimately have love with their lover could never hope to have equal status or the respect that would be given to a spouse. This shows itself in the two lais Le Fresne and Eliduc with the wife always being of more significance than the far more cherished mistress. Fresne, of Le Fresne experiences this when the vassals of her love are trying to get him to marry a woman of noble birth. (To understand the following quote please note that Fresne means ash, and Codre the name of the noble girl means hazel). “The hazel tree bears nuts and thus gives pleasures; the ash bears no fruit.” Here it shows that despite the fact that it has been previously mentioned that the vassals quite adored Fresne, “There wasn’t one, big or little, who didn’t love her for her noble character, and honor her as well.” When it comes time for her lord to marry she is not at all important, as a paramour and not a spouse she can be thrown over for someone who can be ‘worth’ more to her lover, a wife can bring ‘joys’ such as children (legitimate) and material possessions, especially in the case of Fresne whom everyone assumes is just a beautiful orphan girl (and therefore has nothing material to give). In the lay Eliduc we see a

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