Title: The prospect before her : a history of women in Western Europe /
Authors: Hufton, Olwen H.
Publisher: Alfred Knopf : Distributed by Random House,
Year: 1996
Subjects: Women Europe, Western History.; Women Europe, Western Social conditions.; Women Europe History.; Women Europe Social conditions.
Abstract: 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.
Contents: v. 1. 1500-1800