Table of Contents
Acknowledgments viii
Introduction 1
The Vision and the Scope of the Book 1
The Term “Reformation” and Inclusivity Concerns 3
Visionary Studies on Women and the Reformation 5
Women in this Book 7
Part 1 Options and Visions for Women 9
1 Prophets, Visionaries, and Martyrs – Ursula Jost and her Publisher Margarethe Prüss 11
Introduction – Medieval Women Visionaries 11
Anabaptists and Martyrs 14
Prophets in Strasbourg and their Publisher Margarethe Prüss 17
Prophet Ursula Jost and her Visions 19
Conclusion 22
2 The Monastic Option – The Struggle of the Convents 23
Introduction – The Drama of Closing the Convents 23
An Excursion – Monastic Calling 24
Nuns’ Fight for Freedom 26
Conclusion 30
3 Marriage and Motherhood – The Preferred Calling 32
Introduction – Marriage Only? 32
The Holy Marital Vocation 33
Pastors’ Wives 35
Motherhood, Prostitution, Divorce 37
Conclusion 38
4 Learning and Power – An Elusive Option 40
Introduction: The Impetus and Obstacles for Theological Writing 40
Writing with and without Visions 42
The Education Factor 43
The Educated Women 46
Part 2 Women as Models, Leaders and Teachers of the Reformation 49
5 “Herr Doktor” Katharina von Bora, 1499–1552. The Lutheran Matriarch 51
Introduction 52
Katharina – From a Nun to the Ultimate Reformer’s Spouse 52
Conclusion 67
A Word about Sources and References 69
6 Argula von Grumbach, 1492 to 1563/68? – A Bavarian Apologist and a Pamphleteer 71
Introduction 72
Argula as a Defender of Faith – A Valiant Christian, or a Devilish Woman? 73
Conclusion 83
A Word about Sources and References 85
7 Elisabeth von Brandenburg, 1485–1555, and Elisabeth von Braunschweig, 1510–1558 – Exiled Mothers, Reforming Rulers 87
Introduction 88
Elisabeth von Brandenburg née Elisabeth of Denmark – A Reformer in Exile 89
Elisabeth von Braunschweig-Lüneburg (Calenberg) 96
Conclusion 107
A Word about Sources and References 108
8 Katharina Schütz Zell, 1498–1562 – A Publishing Church Mother in Strasbourg 109
Introduction 109
A Church Mother, a Pastoral Care Provider, a Writer, Even a Preacher 110
Conclusion 130
A Word about Sources and References 131
9 Marie Dentière, 1495–1561 – A Genevan Reformer and Writer 133
Introduction 133
Marie Dentière – A Feminist Reformer and Biblical Interpreteter 135
Conclusion 146
A Word about Sources and References 147
10 Marguerite de Navarre, 1492–1549, and Jeanne d’Albret, 1528–1572 – The Protectors of the French Reformers 149
Introduction 150
Marguerite d’Angoulême/de Navarre – The Illustrious Queen, Writer and Spiritual Mother 150
Jeanne d’Albret, a Protestant Queen and a Huguenot leader 158
Conclusion 173
A Word about Sources and References 174
11 Renée de France, 1510–1575 – A Friend of the Huguenots 175
Introduction 176
Renée – A French Protector of Huguenots in Italy and France 177
Conclusion 195
A Word about Sources and References 196
12 Olimpia Fulvia Morata, 1526/27–1555 – An Italian Scholar 197
Introduction 197
Olimpia Fulvia Morata, a Classicist Huguenot Teacher 199
Conclusion 210
A Word about Sources and References 212
Conclusions and Observations on Gender and the Reformation 213
Reformation and Gender, Changes and Losses 213
Individual Choices and Women’s Experiences 216
The Options for Women 217
Reformers’ Ideas about Women 219
Sola Scriptura, Education, and Legal Matters 219
Conclusion 221
Bibliography 223
Options and Visions for Women 223
Women as Models, Leaders and Teachers of the Reformation 232
Index 259
