Medieval Heroines in History and Legend

By: Bonnie Wheeler, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Bonnie Wheeler

This series of 24 fascinating lectures draws on the latest modern scholarship to explore the lives of four medieval women who still shimmer in the modern imagination: Heloise, the abbess and mistress of Abelard; the prophet Hildegard of Bingen; Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine; and Joan of Arc.

These lectures exemplify today's golden age of medieval scholarship, in which the role women played in medieval life is being clarified for the first time. You examine both old legends and new facts to address several provocative questions, such as: Were Hildegard's visions the result of migraines? How did Joan conduct herself in battle and react to its bloody reality? What does Eleanor's life tell us about a woman's role in the Crusades? As you journey through a past we are only now beginning to understand fully, you learn how these remarkable heroines have been both understood and misunderstood throughout history, and you'll better understand how history passes judgment on both women and the Middle Ages.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2002 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2002 The Great Courses

Amazing

This was a great summary of these Heroines and their role in history. Must Read!!!

Not what I expected but great anyhow.

When I saw the title of this course, I thought it would be a study of all sorts of Medieval women real and imaginary, from Guinevere to the Wife of Bath. It is not that all - it is a very in-depth study of just 4 women, 3 of whom were contemporaries of each other. That being said, it was very enlightening and I learned tons - even though I had already studied most of this stuff in college. This is a good course for anyone interested in the High Middle Ages in general, as it offers a different perspective on familiar topics.

Very interesting but awkwardly told

The lecturer is obviously very knowledgable but she left out a lot of important background information on her last two subjects. It would have been easier to follow if she discussed events more chronological as well as some reference to dates (there were very few other than birth and death). She also has very strange pronunciations of French names and places which was frustrating at times.

Interesting discussion of 4 Medieval women

I ended up loving this course, but was frustrated with it along the way. I originally assumed it was broader than just focusing on 4 women, which frustrated me, and I had recently read more in depth treatments of some of the women covered. I see one reviewer was assuming this would be more strictly historical, and this is a mixture of history but also the importance of these women to later periods, and a review of the scholarship when the views of a fixture like Joan of Arc diverge.

Despite these frustrations, I ended up being very glad I listened. I found the treatment of Joan of Arc at the end particularly inspiring.

Wonderful lectures. Prof. Wheeler is masterful.

Wonderful lectures. Prof. Wheeler is masterful and brings each of the four heroines and their times to life. I learned a great deal. Highly recommend.

Professor hard to listen to

She must be accustomed to yelling to the back of a large room, as she has two volumes-loud and louder. Content interesting, but nothing new.

Interesting and informative

I enjoyed how informative the lecture was and it was interesting to hear about a few of the famous women of history.

Though not horrible the politics of the performer do come out. Personally nothing turns me off more then that. If once or twice I wouldn't be bothered but it happened a lot. If you can ignore that and want to learn about some famous women of history from almost birth to death I'd recommend this.

Great lectures

I walked away with a better understanding of the value of individuality. No agenda in these lectures, unless it was thoroughly understand the people and times.
Definitely will share with my daughters.

Jonathan