Medieval women had a particular position in the society that defined their roles. Women were generally viewed to be weaker than men, as described by Bitel in her chapter about the roles of a medieval female. In Gregory of Tours’ History of the Franks, Galswinth, is used as an example of a woman who exemplifies the expected roles of a medieval female. Bitel’s chapter describes medieval women as weak extensions of the male body, thus they are just fragile extensions of the male body, as demonstrated by Galswinth (Bitel 400).
Bitel describes medieval women as too weak to control their bodies; hence they led men into sin. In “Gregory of Tours’ History of the Franks,” Galswinth tempts King Chilperic to dismiss all his existing wives so as to marry the woman he lasts for. The King finally accomplishes his mission by marrying the woman although he still loves the woman he married before Galswinth. Evidently, the king made Galswinth his wife for purposes of sexual pleasure since he already had other wives (Gregory of Tours 222).
Medieval women are described by Bitel as the cause of sin in the society. In their weakness, medieval women put everybody to the risk of sin as epitomized in the marriage of King Chilperic and Galswinth. An immense quarrel broke between the two women whom King Chilperic loved simultaneously. Despite Galswinth being converted to the Catholic faith, she never stopped complaining to the king about the daily insults from the other wife. Eventually, the woman was found dead in bed under unclear circumstances.
Medieval women were viewed as objects that tempted men into sin due to their influence in the society. After the death of Queen Galswinth, a miracle happened on her tomb that made the King’s brothers to suspect the King as the murderer. Although there was no evidence on who killed Galswinth, the King was driven out of the kingdom for the alleged sin that in fact could have been true.
Works Cited
Bitel, Lisa M. Women In Early Medieval Europe, 400-1100. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002. Print.
Gregory of Tours. 1st ed. 2016. Print.
