Single, Independent Women, in the 16th Century

Single, Independent Women, in the 16th Century

You may be surprised to learn that marriage in the 16th century was not required, nor a foregone conclusion, for all women of this time period. In addition to spinsters, who were older women that had never been married, there were widows that lost their husband, women...
Why does Shakespeare call Joan of Arc Joan La Pucelle?

Why does Shakespeare call Joan of Arc Joan La Pucelle?

Image: Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres painted ‘Joan of Arc on Coronation of Charles VII in the Cathedral of Reims' in 1854. The painting is in the Louvre Museum in Paris. Credit: Public domain In William Shakespeare's play, Henry VI Part 1, a major character is...