Powerful Women of the Medieval World

By: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Dorsey Armstrong

Throughout history, women have played integral roles in family, society, religion, government, war - in short, in all aspects of human civilization. Their contributions have often shaped history and shifted the axis of power for later generations of women. And yet, unearthing their stories from the historical record has often been a challenge, with the ordinary difficulties of preserving information across the generations increased by centuries of historical bias and gender expectations.

In Powerful Women of the Medieval World, Professor Dorsey Armstrong will introduce you to 10 amazing women who played vital roles in the Middle Ages, whether they wielded power from an imperial throne like Empress Theodora, led armies like Joan of Arc, or altered the course of Christian theology like Hildegard of Bingen. All of these women were from different times and places, yet they share the honor of having impacted the world in crucial ways. Their impact on history and society also shines a light on the conditions of ordinary women, those who did not have the chance to build such phenomenal legacies, but who nevertheless played vital roles in the family, the community, and the world at large.

While many of these women achieved power thanks to singular opportunities and unusual crises, they also share an indefinable quality that propelled them to seize the unpredictable chances they were given. As you examine the stories of these remarkable women, you will get a unique opportunity to unearth invaluable context and see history from a new perspective, one that can provide a richer understanding of the past and how it has shaped the world we live in today.

©2021 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC.

Fascinating Listen!

Professor Armstrong does a masterful job bringing to life 10 powerful woman I never knew about in medieval history. I learned a lot about the history of this 1000 year period in the process. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

excellent lecture

absolutely loved this. I had watched to the great courses on the roku channel was so happy to find a way to take them with me. Dorsey Armstrong is fantasic!

Relatable

The author has a good knack for telling the story of people who lived hundreds of years ago with a voice of today. Yet, this does not take away from the story at all. It really makes it easier to understand and relate to.

Succinct and Interesting

Dorsey brings to life the stories of these women in an entertaining and very accessible way.... I really enjoyed them all.

Great Lecture with a great lecturer

Dorsey Armstrong is one of the few great courses lecturers for whom I have bought everything she has done. She is that good. I love the Middle Ages and she gives a great overview of the era in all of her work. Here we get a close look at the role of some key women of the age from the well know....Joan of Arc, Eleanor of Aquitaine to the less well known like Olga of Kiev and various Mongol Queens. i found the lectures on the female leaders more interesting than the religious figures, but that is just a personal preference.

Astonishing

Most nonfiction is really hard for me to get through....... not this book. I absolutely loved it!

Engaging and educational

A really enjoyable listen. Armstrong clearly knows her material and is a great and entertaining storyteller.

Interesante

Me encantó este libro. Interesante. Muy buen narrado con referencias históricas muy educativas y con una perspectiva nueva y fresca.
Muy recomendable

Armstrong is a great storyteller

This course is really well done. I highly recommend it. History is about storytelling, and Armstrong draws her listener into the scene of the medieval age and makes it come alive.

Excellent insights into the people and times

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! Fascinating, enjoyable, relatable, and interesting. I can't wait to listen to it again.