Queens, Concubines and Dowagers: The King's Wife in the Early Middle Ages (Women, Power, and Politics) [Paperback]

Pauline Stafford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1998 | ISBN-10: 0718501748 | ISBN-13: 978-0718501747

'Between the sixth and eleventh centuries, many women exercised a profound influence on the politics of Western Europe. The histories of Frankia, Italy, and England would have been different had it not been for queens such as Brunhild, Judith, Angelberga, Emma and others. This is a composite biography of the early queens and royal bedfellows and provides a fascinating picture of their political importance and the many factors that affected their personal lives. Woven with the political story of these women is the story of courtships, weddings, dowries; the anxieties of confinements, sterility and infant mortality; the tense relationships with in-laws; and the peaceful, if often involuntary, religious retirement of widowhood. A fascinating study of a period in world history that requires more illumination. Maps and charts are excellent. Highly recommended.' Genealogical Library Journal

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Cassell (June 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718501748
• ISBN-13: 978-0718501747
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,847,561 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Facinating yet confusing, August 5, 2001

By A Customer

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This review is from: Queens, Concubines and Dowagers: The King's Wife in the Early Middle Ages (Women, Power, and Politics) (Paperback)

Stafford presents an facinating view of women in the early middle ages, presenting their power as well as limitations. However, the book is rather confusing when it comes to keeping track of who is who. The genealogical tables at the back of the book are less than helpful. Stafford asserts that a good part of the power of these women was based on family relations and connections, but this was difficult to follow. Still, the work does present some very interesting ideas and is worth reading.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic in medieval women's history, March 28, 2001

By 

Lois Huneycutt (Columbia, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Queens, Concubines and Dowagers: The King's Wife in the Early Middle Ages (Women, Power, and Politics) (Paperback)

This book has been foundational in determining how we understand early medieval women's history and the role of marriage and marital politics in the period. I recommend it highly.