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IMC 2022: Sessions

Session 1132: Defining the Boundaries of Female Rulership, II: Diplomatic Networks

Wednesday 6 July 2022, 11.15-12.45

Organiser:Megan Welton, Medieval Institute, University of Notre Dame, Indiana
Moderator/Chair:Elena Woodacre, Department of History, University of Winchester
Respondent:Megan Welton, Medieval Institute, University of Notre Dame, Indiana
Paper 1132-aEstablishing Just Rule: Duplicate Charters and the Negotiations of the Ottonian Dominae imperiales
(Language: English)
Sarah Greer, St Andrews Institute of Mediaeval Studies, University of St Andrews
Index terms: Charters and Diplomatics, Gender Studies, Politics and Diplomacy
Paper 1132-bTracing the Queen's Share in Rulership: A Comparative Analysis of Charters from 11th-Century England and Germany
(Language: English)
Johanna Wittmann, Historisches Institut, Universität Duisburg-Essen
Index terms: Charters and Diplomatics, Gender Studies, Politics and Diplomacy
Abstract

This second session explores the possibilities - and problems - which medieval women faced in accessing and wielding power as rulers. Scholarship on medieval female rulers tends to highlight isolated cases of powerful individuals. Instead, the two papers in this session consider the ability of women to collaborate and work collectively to achieve their aims with both male and female counterparts. To conclude, our respondent will draw together the themes touched on by all our speakers and contemplate potential next steps for the study of medieval female power.