Synopses & Reviews
If she wants to win, she must adopt a mans heart (in other words, constant, strong and wise) to consider and to pursue the best course of action
Written by Europes first professional woman writer, The Treasure of the City of Ladies offers advice and guidance to women of all ages and from all levels of medieval society, from royal courtiers to prostitutes. It paints an intricate picture of daily life in the courts and streets of fifteenth-century France and gives a fascinating glimpse into the practical considerations of running a household, dressing appropriately and maintaining a reputation in all circumstances. Christine de Pizans book provides a valuable counterbalance to male accounts of life in the middle ages and demonstrates, often with dry humour, how a womans position in society could be made less precarious by following the correct etiquette.
This revised edition of Sarah Lawsons landmark translation contains an introduction covering the life and work of Christine de Pizan and an overview of the recent scholarly reappraisal of her writing.
- Revised edition of a landmark translation
- Introduction and bibliography have been updated
- Includes a new note on translation and recent scholarship, explanatory notes, and a glossary of names
Synopsis
Advice and guidance for women of all ages, from Europe's first professional woman writer
Written by Europe s first professional woman writer, The Treasure of the City of Ladies offers advice and guidance to women of all ages and from all levels of medieval society, from royal courtiers to prostitutes. It paints an intricate picture of daily life in the courts and streets of fifteenth-century France and gives a fascinating glimpse into the practical considerations of running a household, dressing appropriately and maintaining a reputation in all circumstances. Christine de Pizan s book provides a valuable counterbalance to male accounts of life in the middle ages and demonstrates, often with dry humour, how a woman s position in society could be made less precarious by following the correct etiquette.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust theseries to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-datetranslations by award-winning translators."
Synopsis
Written by Europe's first professional woman writer, The Treasure of the City of Ladies offers advice and guidance to women of all ages and from all levels of medieval society, from royal courtiers to prostitutes. It paints an intricate picture of daily life in the courts and streets of fifteenth-century France and gives a fascinating glimpse into the practical considerations of running a household, dressing appropriately and maintaining a reputation in all circumstances. Christine de Pizan's book provides a valuable counterbalance to male accounts of life in the middle ages and demonstrates, often with dry humour, how a woman's position in society could be made less precarious by following the correct etiquette.
About the Author
Christine de Pizan (1365-c. 1429) was born in Venice but grew up at the court of Charles V of France. After the deaths of the king, her father, and her husband, she was left to provide for her three children, her mother, and her niece, and thus turned to writing.
Sarah Lawson is a published poet and translates from the French, Spanish, and Dutch.
Sarah Lawson is a published poet and translates from the French, Spanish, and Dutch.