Christine de Pizan

Christine de Pizan was a late medieval French author who wrote poetry and prose, defended women’s intellectual and moral capacities, and helped support herself through writing.

The Book of the City of Ladies: A prose work in which Christine de Pizan builds an allegorical city from examples of women’s learning, virtue, and achievement. This is her best-known sustained defense of women against misogynistic claims.
Charles V of France: King of France from 1364 to 1380, remembered for strengthening royal administration and supporting a major library. His court and book collection formed part of the cultural world Christine inherited.
Jean de Meun: A thirteenth-century French poet who continued the allegorical Roman de la Rose with satirical and often misogynistic passages. Christine criticized the Roman de la Rose for its attacks on women.
The Book of the Body Politic: A political treatise by Christine de Pizan that presents society through the metaphor of a human body. It shows her writing on governance beyond questions of women’s status.
The Treasure of the City of Ladies: A conduct book offering practical moral and social advice to women of different ranks. It extends her defense into guidance for women’s lives and responsibilities.
Charles VI of France: King of France from 1380 to 1422, whose reign was marked by political instability and periods of mental illness. Christine sought patronage from his court during her writing career.
Gilles de Rome: A medieval theologian and philosopher whose writings included advice on the conduct of rulers and their households. Christine contested inherited authorities used to prescribe women’s roles.
The Book of Deeds of Arms and of Chivalry: A treatise on warfare and chivalry written by Christine de Pizan in the early fifteenth century. Its military subject demonstrates the breadth of her prose expertise.
Querelle des femmes: A centuries-long European literary debate about women’s nature, virtues, education, and social roles. Her interventions became an early landmark in this debate.
Isabella of Bavaria: Queen of France as the wife of Charles VI and a prominent figure in late medieval court politics. Christine addressed works to the queen and other powerful patrons.

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