OF SIX MEDLEVAL WOMEN 



so assiduously was it pursued, that the status of 

 a monastery or a convent, as a centre of learning, 

 came to be estimated by its wealth in MSS. 

 Besides the mass of transcribing which such 

 rivalry occasioned, there was illuminating to be 

 done, musical notation to be studied and prepared 

 for the services of the Church, chants and choir- 

 singing to be practised, and the needful time to 

 be devoted to weaving and embroidery a part 

 of every woman's education. Weaving had of 

 necessity to be done in every convent in order to 

 provide the requisite clothing for its inmates, 

 and the large and often elaborate hangings used 

 for covering the walls. Embroidery, on the 

 other hand, was no mere occupation, or even a 

 craft, but in truth a fine art. The few specimens 

 still preserved give some idea of the quality of 

 the work, whilst old inventories attest the 

 quantity. Illuminated MSS. of the Gospels and 

 the Apocalypse were lent from royal treasuries, 

 and their miniatures were copied, with needle 

 and silk, to adorn vestments and altar hangings. 

 Then at Gandersheim, as we have already said, 

 the occasional visits of princely travellers brought 

 interest and diversion from the outside world. 

 It was in an atmosphere such as this that 

 Roswitha passed her days. 



Of her work, the metrical legends seem her 

 earliest effort. In these, though they are mainly 

 based on well-known themes, Roswitha shows 

 much originality in description. Whilst they 

 need not detain us, passing reference may be 



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