num_pages: 672
description: How did women in 16th century western Europe cope with the consequences of being considered inherently sinful--as well as being legally and economically subordinate to their fathers husbands brothers and sons? What might become of a woman unable to raise a dowry? What were the difficulties faced by spinsters single mothers and widows? In this brilliant investigation into the lives of women from all social strata Hufton leads us from poor-house to palazzo from cradle to grave illuminating what it meant to be female in western Europe during the years 1500 to 1800.
language: English
title: The Prospect Before Her: A History of Women in Western Europe, 1500 - 1800
publisher: Vintage