role of noble women in the middle ages

Role of Noble Women In the Middle Ages

By, Julieann and Madison

Appearance• Appearance of women was very important in the middle ages.

• Females aged quickly due to numerous child births throughout their lives.

• Women normally had bad teeth and bleeding gums due to lack of vitamin C.

• Dyeing of the hair was popular to create a younger look. It was created with ingredients such as saffron, Cumin seed, celandine, and oil.

• Women applied face make-up to create a pale look. A pale completion was a sign that their family was wealthy enough to be protected from the elements. They desired this look so much, they would bleed to achieve this. Face make-up was made out from plant roots and sometimes leaves.

Appearance

Youth

• As young as seven years old noble women were sent away from their homes and to another noble family.

• They would be taught a rang of skills and though many different subjects.

• Manners and etiquette were of prime importance, including how to curtsey and now to mix with the greatest nobles of the land.

• Time would be spend learning how to dance and ride. Archery was also taught to young noble women.

Youth

Youth• Younger noble women were expected to act as slaves to older

ladies of the castle.

• The duties they were expected to do were look after clothes and assist that ladies with their dressing and coiffure.

• They were taught to preserve fruits and skills to manage a household at a very young age to better prepare them for duties as a married women.

• High ranking young women would take on the role of ladies-in-waiting and were taught French.

• They were also taught the principles of the Medieval Code of Chivalry and Courtly Love and would join spectators at jousting tournaments.

Youth

Work

• Women were paid minimum wages, when they did work. It was more normal for a women to be working at home teaching youth and managing the house.

• Men almost always received a higher pay than women did.

• Although women were paid almost half of what a man made, women received a higher wage in an occupation such as dyeing, spinning thread, and other jobs than men would.

Work

Poem About Medieval Women"Women are Worthy"

I am as swift as ang roe;To praise women wher'er I go ;To dispraise women it is a shame, For a woman was you dame: Our Blessed Lady bears the name Of all women wher'er they go. A woman is worthy thing: They do the wash and do the wring; "Lullay, lullay," she does you sing, And yet he has but care and woe. A woman is a worthy wight: She serves a man both day and night; Thereto she puts all her might,And yet she has but care and woe. (Taken from: Goldberg, 1995)

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