Time travel: what will happen if a modern woman finds herself in the Middle Ages
'11.01.2020'
Source: Yandex Zen
Time travel is one of the most popular genres of science fiction literature and cinema. As a rule, in such stories, involuntary travelers find a way to enter society, implement modern knowledge and achieve success. Is this scientifically possible? But what if a woman falls into the Middle Ages? The author of the channel "From a different angle" argues "Yandex Zen".
How did women live in the Middle Ages?
In this article, we will send the guest from the future to Medieval Russia closer to us.
Contrary to popular belief, women in the Middle Ages had a high social status and social activity. Information on the situation of women in Russia can be obtained from many sources: a collection of legal norms Russkaya Pravda, Judicial Code of 1497, the Charters of Russian princes, Helmsman books, church literature, etc.
Women had the right to inherit and manage the movable (from the XI century) and immovable (from the XIV century) property of their father or husband, own their dowry, engage in craft and trade, and participate in the political and spiritual life of the country. As a rule, aristocrats were literate.
Among the craft specialties, weaving, sewing, spinning, pottery, and even blacksmithing were common among women.
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Chronicles know such names as Princess Olga, who, after the death of her husband, carried out financial reform, expanded the estate and established economic ties with Byzantium. Predslava (sister of Yaroslav the Wise) took an active part in the struggle for power on the side of his brother. The granddaughter of Yaroslav Anna founded the St. Andrew's Monastery and opened the first school for girls in history.
Women were protected by secular law from murder, rape, insult - all of which were punishable by fines. At the same time, the church court could even protect a slave, who could receive freedom as compensation.
True, it is worth noting that the rights of a free and married woman were very different. A married woman depended entirely on her husband and lost most of her rights.
What awaits the traveler in the Middle Ages
You are a young, pretty person who walked to work early Friday morning. The sun has just begun to come into its own, lazily dispersing the night mist, and a thick fog enveloped the entire street. Entering its veil, you find yourself on a country road - in a forest, in a completely unfamiliar world. What to do?
In fact, it all depends on the appearance. Clothing is a passport in the Middle Ages. By clean hands and pale skin, long nails, strange clothes and a defenseless, scared look, people will determine that you are an aristocrat, a foreigner, clearly in trouble. You try to speak, and you confirm their fears. Then a completely different dialect was inherent in speech, it was replete with words now obsolete.
Fortunately, people in the old days were helpful and hospitable. Most likely, the very first peasant that comes across will take you to the house and feed you. The entire peasant community will begin to select more comfortable clothes and shoes for you, in accordance with the status of an “aristocratic” guest. After that, the elder will take you to the tiun or mayor to help find your servants.
The planter will listen to you attentively, will not understand anything, but will leave his estate at your complete disposal, and then will send the soldiers in search of your people. Perhaps this is where luck will end. Very soon people will realize that you are nobody. You have no name, no money, no man.
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Nobody needs your exceptional knowledge in law, marketing, accounting and even medicine. Unless, of course, you can synthesize an antibiotic from mold, forge a Kalashnikov assault rifle at a forge, or assemble a car from firewood and iron. Listen and take your word that the Earth is round, and everything consists of atoms, and in 1480 the Mongol yoke will be dropped, no one will. Such talk is the fastest way to a bonfire or to a monastery dungeon.
In the best case, the guest will be married off. At worst, she turns out to be a slave. A woman without a dowry and a family, even being married, will find herself in the position of a slave.
Noble and wealthy people had the weaker sex locked up. Having become a wife, the woman did not dare to leave the house without the permission of her husband. According to the XNUMXth century historian N.I. Kostomarov, a man had a whip in his house in the Middle Ages. It was intended exclusively for the wife. He could whip the faithful to the blood, and this was called "teaching."
The woman’s position was made intolerable if she could not bear children or her husband found a lover. The wife did not have the right to divorce of her own free will. Therefore, the husband could gradually beat his wife to death or force her to cut her hair as a nun.
The peasant women had a more rosy and free life. However, a well-groomed, smelling Chanel modern woman has a better chance of marrying some boyar. Probably not the worst share.
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