A History of Women in Christianity to 1600

A History of Women in Christianity to 1600 presents an overarching narrative account of women in the Church from the origins of the faith to the seventeenth century. Synthesizing diverse contemporary scholarship into a single, easily accessible volume, author Hannah Matis assesses the role of women in the development of Christian doctrine, and examines how structural and environmental factors have shaped women’s engagement with Christianity.

This unique textbook covers topics often ignored in broad narratives of Christian history, such as the experience of women in the Church during the Middle Ages, and the contributions of lesser-known figures from beyond the western European tradition. Locating significant individuals and events within their historical context, the book delves into the conceptions of sex and gender tracing back their roots to the Jewish, Hellenistic, and Roman culture. Readers will explore a spectrum of complex discourses concerning women and gender in the Church, the martyrdom of early Christian women, how the fall of Rome changed the social, political, and liturgical roles of women, the contrasting positions of major confessions of the Church during the Reformation, and more.

Perfect for advanced undergraduates and seminary students alike, A History of Women in Christianity to 1600 is an excellent textbook for courses in Christian traditions, historical theology, religious studies, medieval history, Reformation history, and gender history.