What Role Did Women Play In 16th-18th Century European History

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Due to the social environment of the 16th - 18th century, not many women had important roles in history. Also, those who did have a key role in history were usually either pirates or born into power.

Women during these times did not have well-paying jobs. Usually they were not in a position of power, and had to obey their husbands. Normally they did not go to school, however girls from well-off families often had tutors who educated them. Most women were married. An average housewife would cook, sew, clean and maintain the house for her husband. A farmer's housewife would not only do this, but also milk the cows, feed animals, tend the garden, and often keep bees. Sometimes women could maintain a job, such as baking, brewing, or tailoring after they undertook a 7 year apprenticeship. Merchant daughters were taught how to run their father's business to aid their brother in this line of business. Women were not allowed to be doctors, lawyers, or teachers.
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This belief was rarely broken, however it was more commonly broken by pirates.

A pirate is a robber who travels by sea. They were extremely common in the 16th to 17th centuries, which is also known as the golden age of piracy. This was an era which was extremely favorable to pirates. They lived in filthy, cramped, unsanitary conditions and usually ended getting caught or living a life of poverty, as there were very few rich pirates. Often they had missing limbs or eyes, due to the lack of doctors and that only rich pirates could afford eye patches, hooks, or pegs.

Pirates were known to be very aggressive. They were known for their rough treatment of captives and their ruthlessness. Pirates were also famous for their unique dialect. They spoke combined English dialects, which included terms like “aargh,” or “aye,