The Extraordinary Lives of Medieval Women

This event will take place in the British Library Knowledge Centre Pigott Theatre. It will be simultaneously live streamed on the British Library platform. Tickets may be booked either to attend in person (physical) or to watch on our platform (online) either live or within 48 hours on catch up. Viewing links for the online version will be sent out in the confirmation email you receive after booking.

Historian Hetta Howes’ charts the life and times of four medieval women: Marie de France, Julian of Norwich, Christine de Pizan and Margery Kempe, who all bucked convention and forged their own path.

These four writers reveal how women lived, survived, and thrived in their age. Who did they marry and why? Were they expected to have children? Did they ever have extramarital affairs? Could they earn money and become self-sufficient? How did they make friends? Could they be leaders? What did they think about death, and what about life and their place in it? While in many ways the Middle Ages was a terrible time to be a woman, there were areas of life that were surprisingly progressive. In her new book Poet, Mystic, Widow, Wife, Howes paints a vibrant portrait of these women, their world, and the ways they speak to us today.

This event accompanies the British Library exhibition Medieval Women: In Their Own Words (25 October – 2 March 2025). Separate ticket for exhibition entry required. Explore the Medieval Women events series here.

Doors and bar open at 18:00. Please arrive no later than 15 minutes before the start time of this event. Followed by a book signing.

Half price tickets available for Members, Students, Under 26 and other concession groups.

Dr Hetta Howes is a Lecturer in Medieval and Early Modern Literature at City, University of London, and a BBC/AHRC New Generation Thinker. She regularly contributes to broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and 4, as well as writing for publications such as The Times Literary Supplement and BBC History Extra. She has a BA and MPhil from Cambridge University and a PhD from Queen Mary, University of London

Helen Carr is an historian specialising in medieval history and public history. Her best-selling book, The Red Prince: John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, was in the Times and Sunday Times top five best books of 2021. She is also the co-author and editor of What is History, Now? She hosts the chart-topping podcast, Hidden Histories, has presented documentaries for History Hit TV.

@eventsBL

The British Library is a charity. Your support helps us open up a world of knowledge and inspiration for everyone. Donate today.