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Old 04-21-2003, 09:00 AM   #113
Morwen Tindomerel
Wight
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Minas Anor or Annuminas the Golden
Posts: 187
Morwen Tindomerel has just left Hobbiton.
Silmaril

It should be pointed out that in the Middle Ages there was not the firm line between home and public life that exists today.

Craftsmen and merchants worked out of their homes and their wives were very much a part of the family business, in fact some guilds allowed them membership. Noblewomen managed the family estates, took over their husbands' official duties in their absence, and on occasion commanded military actions in defense of home and family. Some women, both common and gentle, even accompanied their men on crusade.

This is not to say Earendil is wrong, he's absolutely right in saying that women's role was primarily domestic, just that the domestic sphere was rather wider in those days than 'Children, Church and Kitchen.
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