Medieval and Renaissance Women's History

An index to biographies on this site of notable women who lived about 500 through about 1600 -- including the Middle Ages, the European Renaissance and the Tudor period in British history.

Before the Renaissance -- when a number of women in Europe wielded influence and power -- women of medieval Europe often came to prominence primarily through their family connections. Through marriage or motherhood, or as their father's heir when there were no male heirs, women occasionally rose above their culturally-restricted roles. And a few women made their way to the forefront of accomplishment or power primarily through their own efforts. Here are a few medieval women of note.

What did women wear, from the time of William the Conqueror (1066), in medieval England? Includes color plates and line drawings as well as detailed articles about early English women's fashion.

Today, women composers of the medieval and Renaissance periods are becoming better known. Many were women leading religious lives who had the time and education to devote to composition. Here are some picks of music by women composers or with female subjects and performers, selected for diversity and quality.

A timeline showing notable women of the 10th century. In the middle of the medieval period, a few women contribute their names to the public record. They appear as queens, empresses and consorts of powerful men, or as regents for sons and grandsons -- but occasionally as artists, military leaders, political manipulators and writers.

Beatriz Galindo biography - profile of a tutor of Queen Isabella, Catherine of Aragon, and Juana the Mad.

Alessandra Giliani was an early female scientist, known for her work tracing blood vessels.

A quiz on medieval women and their achievements, from Melissa Snell, About Guide to Medieval History.