From the Cloister to the State examines the French order of Fontevraud, one of the largest monastic network under female leadership in medieval and early modern Europe. It is essential reading for scholars and students of medieval and early modern history.
This book aims to re-write the narrative of women and power in medieval society. Based on a rich corpus of sources - systematically collected for the first time - it reveals female monasteries as central and economically able agents in feudal society.