Women

• What did medical theories argue about women?

  They explained and justified the view of inferiority due to women being physically weaker and having smaller brains, so education was unimportant.
• What was used to justify misogyny?

  The Bible with its portrayal of women, e.g., The Original Sin
• What was the proper role of women seen as?

  Married, looking after home and children while being meek and subservient to their husbands
• How was men’s sexual misdemeanor seen as less than a women’s?

  The 1650 adultery act showed disparities in trials, with more women tried for adultery than men.
• Why was the Marriage Act of 1653 largely ignored?


  It didn’t give men as many rights over their wives as church marriages did.
• How many businesses on Pudding Lane were owned by women in September 1666?


  6 of the 22
• Where was there the ‘Women’s market’?

  In the centre of Leicester
• Who was Aphra Behn?


  The first female professional playwright who earned a living from writing
• What could wives of landowners or gentrymen do?

  Act as estate managers alongside their husbands or direct servants and staff
• What are examples of women who managed estates during the civil war?

  • Brilliana Harley defended her family estate in Hertfordshire
  • Lucy Hutchinson managed the estate of her parliamentary husband colonel
  • Mary Banks commanded troops in defense of Corfe Castle
• How many female prophets were there in the 1640s and 50s?


  An estimated 300
• What did Katherine Chidley do?


  Argued for women to have the right to preach and wrote the first publication under a woman’s name advocating for religious toleration
• What was lifted by Charles II after the restoration of the monarchy?


  The legal restriction of women performing in stage plays
• What did Bridget Bendish do?


  Managed a saltpan and refinery in East Anglia in the Restoration Period
• What did Quakers believe about women?

  Quakers believed women were spiritually redeemed from their subjugation by the crucifixion
• How did Quakers involve women in their practices?

  Women held separate meetings as well as mixed meetings, and Quakers advocated for women’s education
• How many schools for girls did Quakers found?


  They founded 4 out of the 15 before 1671
• What percentage of the population were Quakers in 1680?


  1%
• Who argued for the continuation of separate women’s activities in 1676?


  George Fox
• How did Devon showcase the sexism of the adultery act?

  90% of the 255 charged were women
• How did Middlesex showcase the sexism of the adultery act?

  24 women charged vs 12 men
• What were women unable to do in a marriage?

  Not allowed property rights, to enter into contracts or make a will without their husband's permission