Constance of France: Womanhood and Agency in Twelfth-Century Europe

Description

Constance of France: Womanhood and Agency in Twelfth-Century Europe is a biography of Constance of France, sister of King Louis VII of France. Myra Bom recovers Constance’s life story and puts it in its medieval context by examining the historical evidence of chronicles, charters, seal imprints and letters. The countess’s long and interesting life makes for women’s history with a large geographical scope, including France, England, Toulouse and the Latin East. It touches on many aspects of life during the Middle Ages such as birth, marriage and divorce, gender roles, experience of time, and expectation for the afterlife. Bom demonstrates how and to what extent medieval women could, and did, take control of their own lives. This book is an account of the interplay of historical context and agency.  Acknowledgements Book Abstract Contents About the Author Abbreviations List of Figures Chapter 1: Introduction Bibliography and Theory The Evidence The Chapters Chapter 2: Born a Royal Daughter A Girl Is Born Birth The Capetian Family Honour Chapter 3: The Politics of Marriage (I): England Marriage in Theory Marriage in Practice Politics at Play England, 1140–1152 Conclusion Chapter 4: Female Role Models The Women in Constance’s Circle Wife and Domina Mother Daughter of the Church Legacy Chapter 5: Politics of Marriage (II): Toulouse The Politics of Divorce Count Raymond V of Toulouse’s Advantage The Siege of Toulouse, 1159 Conclusion Chapter 6: Countess of Toulouse The Charters The Letters Titles and Seals The Council of Lombers Conclusion Chapter 7: Separation in Marriage Leaving the Count Papal Objection Claiming Boulogne Baldwin the Bastard? Conclusion Chapter 8: To Jerusalem Pilgrimage and Crusade Bethduras The Hospitallers Going Home Conclusion Chapter 9: Care for the Soul Religious Motivation Constance’s Donations Before 1165 Donations After 1165 Conclusion Chapter 10: Conclusion Appendix A: Unpublished Charters No. 1. Paris, Archives Nationales, S 2139, No. 17 No. 2. Paris, Archives Nationales, S 4440, No. 1 Appendix B: Simplified Genealogical Table Capetian Family Boulogne Family Toulouse Family Bibliography Archives, Manuscripts and Objects Printed Primary Sources Secondary Works Index