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IMC 2020: Sessions

Session 1244: Noblewomen Pushing the Boundaries, III: Royal Women

Wednesday 8 July 2020, 14.15-15.45

Organisers:Harriet Kersey, School of Humanities, Canterbury Christ Church University
Charlotte Pickard, Centre for Continuing & Professional Education, Cardiff University
Moderator/Chair:Louise J. Wilkinson, School of Humanities, Canterbury Christ Church University
Paper 1244-aMothers of Kings: Herleva of Normandy and Gytha Thorkelsdóttir of Wessex
(Language: English)
Kathryn Green, Department of Comparative Humanities University of Louisville
Index terms: Military History, Social History, Women's Studies
Paper 1244-bEmma of Normandy: A Noblewoman Who Laid 'the Disturbances of War to Rest'
(Language: English)
Hayley Bassett, School of History Archaeology & Religion Cardiff University
Index terms: Gender Studies, Politics and Diplomacy, Social History, Women's Studies
Paper 1244-cA Queen on the Edge: Eleanor of Provence and Her Army
(Language: English)
Abby Armstrong, School of Humanities, Canterbury Christ Church University
Index terms: Administration, Politics and Diplomacy, Women's Studies
Abstract

Women frequently had to negotiate the boundaries between society's expectations and their lived experience - at times working against the roles traditionally ascribed to them. Noblewomen occupied a unique position in society which, arguably, afforded them greater agency and access to power. And yet, they too had to navigate boundaries, often pushing beyond what was perceived to be the norm. This session will focus on the different roles undertaken by royal women, with case studies drawn from England and Normandy from the tenth to the thirteenth century.