Women Reformers of Early Modern Europe provides an expansive view of
women negotiating their faith, voice, and agency in the religious and
cultural scene of the sixteenth-century reformations. Women from
different geographic contexts (Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Holland,
and Scandinavia) and from a broad spectrum of vocations and social
standings are highlighted along with examples of their original writings
in English translation (in some cases brand new).
An international, interdisciplinary cohort of over thirty scholars
provide cutting-edge scholarship on women, religion, and gender in the
sixteenth-century reformation context. Chapters interpret historical
sources relevant to the women in question and provide original material
for a deeper understanding of each woman's specific negotiations about
her faith and religious preferences, as well as about her specific
options--as a woman.
Most of the women in the book left a written record, providing a
valuable window into women's spirituality and theology. Gender questions
are engaged throughout the chapters that provide irrefutable evidence of
women's essential roles in the reception and implementation of the
Protestant confessions. An important voice comes from women who defended
their right to profess Catholic faith.
Thematic articles enhance the analysis of the roles, experiences, and
contributions of individual women in different contexts and positions
vis-à-vis reformation teachings. Women stand out as writers,
theologians, historians, biblical interpreters, publishers, hymnwriters,
rulers, pastoral care givers, defenders of justice, ""heretics,""
rebels, midwives, mothers, and friends.
The tone of the volume is scholarly but invites a broad spectrum of
readers who have varying levels of background knowledge. It is
especially suitable as a textbook or as a reference guide in different
disciplines (reformation studies, church history, theological history,
gender scholarship, early modern and sixteenth-century studies; and
language studies).
