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The renaissance began a momentous time in the history of Western Europe. Many new forms and styles of arts, literature, and customs emerged during this period. Economic, social, and cultural changes affected the lives of everyone. Particularly the role of women in society was affected. There were four categories that women were labeled to, wives, mothers, widows and daughters. Within each of these branches, certain duties were always expected of them.
Jacob Burckhardt once wrote, to understand the higher forms of social intercourse in this period, we must keep before our minds the fact that women stood on a footing of perfect equality with men... It is a widely known fact that this in no way was true. Inequalities between men and women have always affected society. Men were constantly gaining up on women and spoke of them with contempt. They believed that woman was more sinful than man. This belief goes back to original sin when Eve had been seduced by the devil.
Eves actions made men assume that women deserved to suffer. However, the Renaissance helped to narrow the gap between the two sexes. All women whether they are of noble blood, a shopkeepers sister, or a farm workers daughter, were placed on a higher pedestal then they had expected during this time. Womens positions in society had effects on the Renaissance period just as great as any mans.
Noble women dont appear to have a hard life, but when you look between the lines they have it just as rough as any other women of that time. From the beginning, young women were required to learn the basic household skills that they would be expected to execute as wives and mothers. These women did perform textile work, but they did it for luxury, they did not actually need the items they would make. They would use gold thread in their tapestries instead of common cotton. Other domestic skills consisted of embroidering, spinning, weaving, managing economy, supervising servants, and nursing any ailing household members. Beyond this noble women were expected to entertain their husbands guests and see to the purchase and storage of supplies for the house.
From their mothers, young ladies learned about the values of chastity, obedience and silence. Girls were expected to be seen and not heard. Going to church was most often the only time they would get any kind of social interaction outside their families. An early humanist once said he would rather see a girl deaf and blind than over stimulated to pleasure. Teachings of virginity were strong in anyones home for both boys and girls in all classes. Before a young lady was to be married, her father had to assure her fiancees father that she was indeed a virgin.
If a young woman lost her virginity, by rape or seduction, she was most likely to be abandoned by her family. This also meant she was liable to turn to prostitution as a form of employment. Marriage was more of a political game than a true love story. Most girls who did think seriously about marriage did not think falling in love was a basis for getting married. A young noble womans father, or male kin, determined the fate of their daughters hand. The decision was based on political, social, and business agreements between families.
When a woman married, she was expected to bring in some of her fathers wealth to the family. Marriage turned into more of a business transaction between the parents of the two fiances. Men often didnt see his wife-to-be until the day for the signing of the marriage contract. Adolescent girls of twelve or thirteen usually married older men. These men would be in their late twenties and early thirties on most occasions. This resulted in loveless marriages which led to many more problems.
Adultery was constantly looked upon as a serious crime committed by a wife. Punishments of death and sever beatings seemed perfectly reasonable at the time. On the other hand, men were allowed to have mistresses and have sexual relations with monogamous partners, and this was considered okay by most people. Along with marriage came a variety of obligations and expectations. Bearing children was a difficult and complex procedure. It was made to also be a social interaction and gathering process.
Men were completely excluded from this operation. Low-grade women had their female neighbors help deliver the child. Noble women had their nursemaids and mid-wives help with the process. There were often several women in the room during this process to overlook and help. It was considered a formality to be invited to watch the birth of a future princess or prince. There were no doctors to help a woman during her time.
A midwife was always present because she knew how to direct birth and deal with problems that occurred. Infant mortality rates were extremely high for all the classes. Almost 50 - 55 % of the children born during this time would not live to be four years old. Women had no relief from pregnancy. They often conceived again within weeks of giving birth.
Twenty to twenty-five children from one mother was not uncommon. This was seen as desirable to the wealthy because it showed they were able to care for all of them. Some single mothers were unable to take care of one baby. Baby girls were not appreciated in any class family. Periodically if a woman gave birth to a baby girl, the father would dismiss her and keep trying until a boy was produced. Immediately following birth, noble women had wet-nurses to help to care for their babies.
These women would provide milk for their babies, care for them, and raise them until they were one to two years old. The children were the mothers responsibility until they reached the age of about six or seven. From there, girls were kept confined and constantly supervised in the training of household skills. Boys were prepared by their father, a school, a tutor, or in apprenticeship. The bulk of noble women was expected to just look pretty and take a backseat in court life.
Others were expected to host parties and entertain guests for their husbands. At the beginning of the Renaissance, court was the only sphere where women could convert social power into political power. This was mainly because court was one of the few places women were expected to be seen. When upper class women went out, they had to be accompanied by another adult.
They were to be constantly supervised at all times. Toward the end of the era, ladies were just beginning to spend more time in the company of men. They were now eating at the table with them, traveling with them, and influencing their art. Having the presence of women around seemed to improve the mens general social behavior. Women took great pride in their looks, just like women of today do.
Queens and princesses decked themselves with precious jewels, gold, and pearls. Ladies stuffed themselves into tight corsets to slim their figures. High foreheads were considered so beautiful that women shaved or plucked their hairlines back to achieve the divine look. Blonde hair was preferred to most women and some men. Fashionable gentlemen and ladies dyed their hair to complete their aristocratic appearance. Peasant women would grow their hair long, then cut it and sell it to provide wigs for noble class women.
Upper class females would spend countless hours on rooftops bleaching their hair color to a lighter one... Cosmetics were used by ladies from all classes. They would paint their eyelids, face, nails, and even teeth with their make-up. Dressy outfits consisted of brooches, headdresses, rings, bracelets, fur coats, and open sleeved dresses. Heavy perfumes were used by all classes to drown out foul smells. Cleanliness was not a high priority for most people and bathing was rare.
Perfume...
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