Medieval Women by Eileen Power
Friday September 22, 2006
Melissa Snell, About.com's Guide to Medieval History, reviews Medieval Women by Eileen Power. Eileen Power, researching medieval history in the first half of the 1900s, was ahead of her time in both her interest in social history and the history of women, and in virtually inventing research techniques for ferreting out forgotten and hidden history.
Comments
Any self-respecting medievalist will know that Eileen Power has NOT withstood the test of modern scholarship.
All that’s claimed is that she was ahead of her time — and not withstanding the test of time is pretty much the lot of all pioneers in history. Perhaps you have some substantive criticisms to give to readers, rather than just a blanket dismissal?
I agree with you Jone - and I suppose you could possibly put Agnes Strickland in this category too - Eileen Power was a poineer in presenting the history of medieval women. However, as with all early scholarship, those who follow in her footsteps are more able to expand upon the intial works to prove and / or disprove. She broke ground - FOR HER TIME.