Anthropology

Last edited Wed Jan 20, 2021, 11:48 PM - Edit history (2)

to be very pious and "pure." Margaret Beaufort was especially pious to the point of being what we would call prudish and a prig. But she was respected for it by many.

In their defense, many women of the period found refuge and a degree of autonomy in religious devotion at a time when laws, customs, and religion, were extremely patriarchical. When women (even married ones like Margaret) declared celibacy in religious vows, they got relief and protection from endless childbearing, sex on demand, and subjugation. As devoutly religious women, they could indulge in learning, too.

Margaret was very ambitious, but limited by gender in what she could accomplish, so she threw herself into promoting her son's candidacy to be king during the Wars of the Roses, and once he was crowned, was second only to him in power at court.

I've seen some English headgear that was even more like a chapel, but can't recall now the names of the women. Their gabelled headpieces were shorter and stiffer. They almost look like they were made of wood.