Key learning points

1. The medieval Church was extremely powerful and had a significant influence on people's ideas about the role of women.
2. Medieval Britain was a patriarchal society in which men had more power, control, and opportunities than women.
3. The work completed by medieval women was partly determined by whether they lived in the countryside or in towns.
4. The medieval Church represented one route to greater independence for women.
5. Some medieval women became literate through the Church.

Keywords

• Church - the Church is the organisation of the Christian religion

• Priest - a priest is a religious leader who performs ceremonies, rituals and provides guidance

• Patriarchal - patriarchal relates to a society that is controlled by men

• Guild - a guild is a group of a certain type of craftsmen with their own rules

• Nun - a nun is a woman who has withdrawn from normal life to dedicate her life to God

Common misconception