OF SIX MEDIAEVAL WOMEN 



Romances and then to the woman of History. 

 Each completes and is completed by the other. 

 For the woman of the Middle Ages there were 

 practically only two alternatives to enter into 

 the bonds either of Holy Matrimony or of Holy 

 Church. In both Cases the vows were, as a rule, 

 taken early, especially in the case of marriage, so 

 that the woman of the Middle Ages knew little 

 of the joys of girlhood, with all its romantic 

 castle - building and fondly fostered illusions. 

 From playing with dolls, the child of twelve 

 or even younger often suddenly found herself 

 transformed into a wife. Although the Church 

 had decreed that no girl should be wedded 

 before the age of fifteen, this mandate was often 

 ignored in noble families, where, through death, 

 large fiefs had been left without a male repre- 

 sentative and protector. In such a case the 

 over-lord considered it necessary to assert his 

 authority, and compel the marriage of some 

 young girl of perhaps only twelve, so as to 

 secure for her vassals and retainers a qualified 

 leader, and for himself the needful and pledged 

 military service. Still these marriages of con- 

 venience were often really happy arrangements, 

 for the girl-wife had been trained to altruism, 

 and its principles were the very essence of her 

 daily life. Love, moreover, is a subtle sprite, 

 and just as surely as he can spread his wings and 





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