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  • © 2016

Queenship in Medieval France, 1300-1500

Palgrave Macmillan
  • Provides the first comprehensive survey of queenship in medieval France.
  • Covers a wide range of French medieval queens including Isabeau of Bavaria and Anne of Brittany
  • Relates the discussion of history and power into a larger context of queenship and the history of female power.

Part of the book series: The New Middle Ages (TNMA)

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Table of contents (11 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xv
  2. Introduction

    • Murielle Gaude-Ferragu
    Pages 1-8
  3. Acceding to Royal Dignity

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 9-9
    2. Chapter 1: Marrying the King

      • Murielle Gaude-Ferragu
      Pages 11-39
    3. Chapter 3: Bearing the Blood of France

      • Murielle Gaude-Ferragu
      Pages 53-73
  4. A Woman in Politics: The Power of the Queen

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 75-75
    2. Chapter 4: The ‘Profession’ of Queen

      • Murielle Gaude-Ferragu
      Pages 77-107
    3. Chapter 6: The ‘Queen of Ceremonies’

      • Murielle Gaude-Ferragu
      Pages 131-149
  5. The Symbolic Government

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 151-151
    2. Chapter 7: Courtly Society: The Queen in Her Hôtel

      • Murielle Gaude-Ferragu
      Pages 153-167
    3. Chapter 8: The Road to Eternity: Devotions and the Divine

      • Murielle Gaude-Ferragu
      Pages 169-185
    4. Conclusion

      • Murielle Gaude-Ferragu
      Pages 203-208
  6. Back Matter

    Pages 209-224

About this book

This book examines the power held by the French medieval queens during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries and their larger roles within the kingdom at a time when women were excluded from succession to the throne. Well before Catherine and Marie de’ Medici, the last medieval French queens played an essential role in the monarchy, not only because they bore the weight of their dynasty’s destiny but also because they embodied royal majesty alongside their husbands. Since women were excluded from the French crown in 1316, they were only deemed as “queen consorts.” Far from being confined solely to the private sphere, however, these queens participated in the communication of power and contributed to the proper functioning of “court society.” From Isabeau of Bavaria and her political influence during her husband’s intermittent absences to Anne of Brittany’s reign, this book sheds light on the meaning and complexity of the office of queen and ultimately the female history of power. 

Reviews

“This translation of Murielle Gaude-Ferragu’s book on the queen of France in the Middle Ages will be welcomed by specialists and general readers alike. Awarded the prestigious Prix de la dame à la Licorne given by the Friends of the Musée de Cluny, the book has garnered praise as a work of innovative historiography which, eschewing simple biography, demonstrates the political consequences of  the development of the office and function of the queen as Virgin Mary-like mediator.”  (Elisabeth A.R. Brown, Professor of History, The City University of New York, USA)

“The theme of this book is not only of great historical significance but also full of human interest. It is hard to think of anyone so well equipped to do it justice as Murielle Gaude-Ferragu.” (David d’Avray, Professor of History, University College London, UK) 

Authors and Affiliations

  • Université Paris-13, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, Villetaneuse, France

    Murielle Gaude-Ferragu

About the author

Murielle Gaude-Ferragu is University Professor of History at the Université Paris-13, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, France.

 

Angela Krieger, PhD, is a translator and editor based in Paris, France.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access