Scan barcode
A review by mcastello13
The Hidden Lives of Tudor Women: A Social History by Elizabeth Norton
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
I’m not sure why I went into this book not realizing how depressing it would be. Of course women who lived at all levels of society in Tudor England experienced intense misogyny and second-class places in society, and the book does a good job of thoroughly highlighting that.
That said, it also includes many examples of extremely fascinating women who defied the limitations and societal conventions of the age to lead quite extraordinary lives. I like that their stories are shared in more depth here, and that the book focuses on women from all social classes, not just the nobility (although noble and royal women of the time also quite often led incredibly interesting lives).
The Tudors and Tudor England have captivated me for a long time, and yet I always feel there is so much more to learn about the time and its people. All in all I really enjoyed this and the deeper knowledge I gained of the time, and especially its women, through it.
That said, it also includes many examples of extremely fascinating women who defied the limitations and societal conventions of the age to lead quite extraordinary lives. I like that their stories are shared in more depth here, and that the book focuses on women from all social classes, not just the nobility (although noble and royal women of the time also quite often led incredibly interesting lives).
The Tudors and Tudor England have captivated me for a long time, and yet I always feel there is so much more to learn about the time and its people. All in all I really enjoyed this and the deeper knowledge I gained of the time, and especially its women, through it.