Maika Beard

Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

McCarthy, Thomas

Keywords

Women, Medieval Politics, Matilda of Canossa

Area of Concentration

History

Abstract

This thesis discusses the life of Countess Matilda of Canossa (1046�1115) and her participation in the Investiture Contest, one of the most significant conflicts of the Middle Ages. Matilda's involvement in the Investiture Contest demonstrates how she managed to retain her autonomy in Tuscany by establishing a close relationship with the Gregorian papacy and thus demonstrates the roles that women could play in medieval politics. While many noblewomen were able to take on substantial roles in medieval society, Matilda's position was quite unique. Although some women were able to rule with their husbands or serve as regents for their young sons, they were still bound within the patriarchal social structures of their time. Matilda's role as a military defender of the Gregorian papacy, on the other hand, allowed her to rule Tuscany independently. At the same time, her unsuccessful marriages reveal a deliberate attempt by the countess to break with tradition and rule without being controlled by a man. The lack of scholarly research on Matilda's notable life highlights the need for more study on medieval women and their role in politics.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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