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IMC 2021: Sessions

Session 808: Noblewomen Network, IV: Royal Women

Tuesday 6 July 2021, 16.30-18.00

Sponsor:Noblewomen Network
Organisers:Harriet Kersey, School of Humanities, Canterbury Christ Church University
Charlotte Pickard, Centre for Continuing & Professional Education, Cardiff University
Moderator/Chair:Emily J. Ward, Darwin College, University of Cambridge
Paper 808-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 808-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 808-cThe Countess, the King's Sister: Royal Noblewomen and Forgotten Networks of Power in Late Medieval England
(Language: English)
Jordan Schoonover, Department of History Ohio State University
Index terms: Gender Studies, Social History, Women's Studies
Abstract

Women frequently had to negotiate the intersection 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.