On 24 October, the British Library opened the doors for the very first time to its latest exhibition, Medieval Women: In Their Own Words. TMW’s Natasha Hodgson was selected as one of the academic consultants for the exhibition and worked closely with curators Julian Harrison and Ellie Jackson to develop the narratives and selection of materials. She contributed two chapters to the exhibition’s accompanying book, Medieval Women: Voices & Visions, which contains a series of topic-based essays and spotlight studies about individuals and objects that will provide a fantastic resource for teachers looking for inspiration. These include a spotlight on Queen Melisende of Jerusalem, whose jewel-encrusted Psalter, can be seen in the exhibition, along with an ivory cross belonging to crusader Sybil of Flanders, and a gold dinar from Shajar al-Durr, a Turkish slave who became the female sultan of Egypt. The public opening of the exhibition was accompanied by a talk from historical novelist, Kate Mosse, and a performance of medieval music and Arabic poetry by NTU History PhD student, Kate Arnold.
Medieval Women: In Their Own Words looks at the varied lives of women in Europe from 1100 to 1500 through the manuscripts, documents, and objects they have left behind. Among some familiar names (like Empress Matilda, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and Margaret of Anjou) are some lesser-known figures. Treasures on display include beautifully illuminated works like the ‘Book of the Queen’, a collection of the writings of the fifteenth-century writer, Christine de Pizan, but also more surprising objects, such as a birthing girdle, and the skull of a lion said to belong to Margaret of Anjou. Letters of the Paston family women, including Margery Paston’s celebrated Valentine’s Day letter to her beau, are also on display. Perhaps most exciting is Joan of Arc’s letter sent to the people of Riom on 9 Nov 1429, ending with her own, shaky, signature ‘Jehanne’. This is the first time such an object has been displayed outside of France. With interactive games including ‘How to divorce your husband’ and ‘Are you a witch?’, scent design has employed to recreate visionary experiences, rave reviews from the Guardian, Telegraph, the Conversation, and BBC R4 Woman’s hour, this is not an exhibition to be missed!
The Medieval Women: In Their Own Words exhibition is running from the 25 October until 2 March 2025 and tickets can be purchased here.
Teaching Medieval Women will be running a series of free evening CPD workshops along with the British Library Learning team for Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 teachers and educators interested in widening their knowledge and teaching of medieval women. These workshops include free exhibition entry and a guided tour of the exhibition, supported by academic historians and teachers from the project, including Natasha Hodgson, Jonathan Phillips and Ellie Woodacre. The tour will be followed by a workshop with the opportunity for participants to co-create classroom resources from examples in the exhibition.
Event 1: Medieval Women and Power
Monday 11 November 2024, 5–7.30pm
https://bit.ly/BritishLibraryTeachingMedievalWomenCPD1
Event 2: Medieval Women and Movement
Thursday 21 November 2024, 5–7.30pm
https://bit.ly/BritishLibraryTeachingMedievalWomenCPD2
Event 3: Medieval Women and Religion
Monday 2 December 2024, 5–7.30pm
https://bit.ly/BritishLibraryTeachingMedievalWomenCPD3
Event 4: Medieval Women and Wealth
Monday 3 February 2025, 5–7.30pm
