Medieval Women: In Their Own Words

A small group visited the British Library exhibition of Medieval Women in their own words. This interactive exhibition included examples from across Europe and shone a light on the activities and authority of a group of people not often written about. Most of the texts were in Latin, showing that some girls in the medieval period were educated almost to the same standard of boys. Although there were some interesting documents on the uses for medicinal herbs and acceptable reasons for divorce, varying according to state or religion, the highlight of the exhibition was a letter signed by the hand of Joan of Arc.