Picture this: it's the Middle Ages, a time of castles, knights, and rigid rules—especially for women. Yet amid the chaos, four incredible writers carved out their own paths, voices rising above the silence. Poet, Mystic, Widow, Wife by Hetta Howes pulls back the curtain on Marie de France, Julian of Norwich, Christine de Pizan, and Margery Kempe, sharing their unfiltered stories of love, loss, and triumph.
Marie de France was a poet spinning tales of forbidden romance and chivalry, her verses dripping with passion that challenged courtly expectations. Julian of Norwich, locked away as an anchoress, penned revelations of divine love during the Black Death, finding solace in mysticism when the world crumbled. Christine de Pizan, widowed young, turned to writing at court, defending women's intellect and earning her keep through sheer wit. And Margery Kempe, the self-proclaimed 'no-good wife,' roamed Europe in tears and visions, demanding a spiritual life beyond domestic drudgery.
Howes doesn't just recite facts; she weaves their lives into the gritty everyday. Who did they marry—for love, land, or alliance? Did extramarital flings happen, and what risks did they carry? These women grappled with motherhood's joys and burdens, friendship's rare gems, and the hustle to become financially independent in an era when options were slim. They questioned death's shadow, pondered life's purpose, and asserted their place in it all—often at great personal cost.
Grab this Kindle edition and you'll feel like you're eavesdropping on history's most candid conversations. It's not dry academia; Howes' storytelling sparkles with modern context, making 12th-century struggles feel immediate. Curl up on a rainy afternoon, or gift it to a history buff craving female perspectives. Their lessons on resilience, sexuality, and self-determination cut through centuries, reminding us how far we've come—and what's still worth fighting for.
With insightful research and lively prose praised by The Guardian and The New York Times, this book revives forgotten voices. Dive in, and let these medieval women inspire your own path.
