Abandoned at Work and Home

“Jerusalem, you do me a great wrong

by taking from me that which I loved best.

Know this to be true: I’ll never love you,

for this is the reason for my unhappiness…

Fair, sweet lover, how will you endure

your great ache for me out on the salty sea,

When nothing that exists could ever tell

the deep grief that has come into my heart?

When I think of your gentle, sparkling face

that I used to kiss and caress,

It is a great miracle that I am not deranged….”

(by Anonymous singer of women’s songs)

 

Thanks to a brilliant essay from The Women’s World Curriculum,

“Women and the Crusades”,

at Medieval Sources Online, detailing women’s work and roles

at the time, more can be learned about the lesser known

phenomenon of men leaving their wives to tend to their

estates at the time of the Crusades. 

The excerpt above from a French

song of lament, though anonymous,

gives a voice to the feelings of

women at the mercy of the nature of those times. 

Often, these

men did not return, communication would have been scant

and difficult, and absences could last years. 

Before the real danger of

these crusades was known, women sometimes accompanied

their men, but after the devastating cost was known,

there was a ban on

anyone but men attending the ravaging travels of crusades.

The linked essay also contains some great revelations,

and details of

a noble lady, making her stand and “do or die choice”,

in the name of

protecting her estate when her noble husband was away. 

Accounts of women finding their administrative powers

over their home and land

flourish in a time of great hardship, and present

an odd boon to this troubled

age, which was the stretch in the reach

of women’s perceived limits, showing

their full capabilities, at women’s work.

(copyright Imogen Crest 2008.)

 

Round Dance – Red Book of Montserrat

This piece, “found in the library” at the City of Ladies, was written for festivities in early Medieval Spain.  The whole town would involve themselves in these events, which would usually last for days at a time.  The text dates from around 1100, so is interesting to relate to as a part of history, and it provokes thought of ancient cities and what women did who lived there.  It’s interesting to see all types of women included in the festivities, none being barred due to status or purse.  It can be certain women played a part in providing food and sustenance during these marathon type events in medieval times, and this was their work.

Red Book of Montserrat – Round Dance

Resplendent star on the mountain, like a sunbeam miraculously glowing,

hear the people.

All joyous people come together: rich and poor,

young and old,

climb the mountain to see with their own eyes,

and return from it filled with grace.

Rulers and magnates of royal stripes, the mighty of the world,

possessing grace,

proclaim their sins, beating their breast,

and call on bended knee: Ave Maria.

Prelates and barons with their noble suite,

all monks and also priests,

soldiers, merchands, citizens, sailors, townspeople

and fishermen are praising here.

Peasants, ploughmen and also scribes, advocates,

stone-masons and all carpenters,

tailors and shoemakers and also weavers, all craftsmen thank here.

Queens, countesses, illustrious ladies of power and maidens,

young girls, virgins and old women and widows,

climb the mountain, and also nuns.

The community is gathered here to make a vow,

to give thanks and to fulfil the vow for the glory of this place,

so that all may see and return in joy, partaking of salvation.

We shall all – of both sexes – pray,

and full of humility confess our sins

to the glorious virgin,

mother of clemency, so that in heaven

we may be with the merciful.

(Full lyrics are available through a Google search.)

(copyright Imogen Crest 2008.)