Abstract
"Resilience and Evolution: The Transformative Impact of the Black Death on Women’s Roles in Medieval England" delves into the nuanced effects of the Black Death on gender dynamics in medieval England. While there were positive shifts in attitudes toward women's roles, persistent challenges, such as unequal employment conditions, lower wages compared to men, and negative household stereotypes, endured. The research examines alterations in labor markets, inheritance norms, property laws, and domestic dynamics to uncover the multifaceted impact of the Black Death on the evolution of women's roles. Despite emerging opportunities for women in previously male-dominated spheres, the analysis also reveals a slightly unfavorable trajectory for English women in the inter and post-pandemic periods. The research contributes to one's understanding of how a catastrophic event, like the Black Death, reshaped societal structures, highlighting both the resilience and adaptability of women while shedding light on the persistent gender disparities of the period.
Recommended Citation
Vitato, Kaylee N.
(2024)
"Resilience and Evolution: The Transformative Impact of the Black Death on Women’s Roles in Medieval England,"
The Cardinal Edge: Vol. 2:
Iss.
1, Article 7.
Available at:
https://ir.library.louisville.edu/tce/vol2/iss1/7
Included in
European History Commons, History of Gender Commons, History of Religion Commons, Medieval History Commons, Models and Methods Commons, Social History Commons, Women's History Commons
