The Treasure of the City of Ladies: Or the Book of the Three Virtues

Christine de Pisan was the first European woman known to have earned a living as a professional writer, and in this intriguing book she offers advice on conduct for women of all classes. A great emphasis is placed on religious observence and piety, as one would expect in an age when religion was an important part of most people's lives, but the book also offers a great deal of practical advice for women about how to manage their lives. A baroness, we are told: 'ought to have the heart of a man, that is she ought to know how to use weapons and be familiar with everything that pertains to them, so thta she may be ready to command her men if the need arises. She should know how to launch an attack or defend against one, if the situation calls for it.' medieval ladies had to be able to turn their hand to anything. Sometimes her advice is posititvely modern, as for instance when she comments on the gap in understanding between the old and the young: 'There is quite often argument and discord, as much in outlook as in conversation, between old people and young ones, to the point that they can hardly stand each other, as though they were members of two different species.' Evidently not that much has changed in the last 600 years. Although Christine de Pisan mostly concentrated on describing how her readers should live the ideal life, sometimes she vividly describes women who are less than ideal. In the section on artisans' wives for instance, she writes disapprovingly: 'She too ought to stay at home gladly and not go every day traipsing hither and yon gossiping with the neighbours and visiting her chums to find out what everyone is doing. That is done by slovenly housewives roaming about the town in groups.' I rather like the image of the cheerful housewives roaming about in groups. I would recommend this fascinating book to anyone interested in medieval women, or in medieval history in general, or in women in general.

Who would think of a 600 year old book being relevant to modern women? But it is. de Pisan provides insight into the mindset of another world (France in the 1400s) as well as engaging observations of women, men, and how they lived in her world. Her ideas and advice still offer insight into modern American culture -- we inherit many influences from mainland Europe and its own history. The richness of her observations of human nature and adept interpolations from her own experience also transcend language and culture barriers. Bear with the old prose and medieval literary trappings. It's fascinating.

I personally find this book to be useful for the modern individual as well as the noble lady of the High Middle Ages, with only a very few mental changes. It combines ideals for the mind and soul with practical advice on marriage and running a household. The second section that offers advice for women of every social class down to beggars and prostitutes is fascinating. I find the book pleasant reading -- in fact, I am about to buy a second copy as my first is wearing out, and a copy as a gift for a friend.I have a different take on this book than some, in that I am a member of an historical re-creation organization that studies and lives Medieval and Renaissance Europe. Christine de Pisan was writing for the woman that I am on the weekends. I tell my fellow historians that I think this book should be a required read for our queens, princesses, and noble ladies, and at least one knight of my aquaintance makes his squires read it as being useful for everyone.

Medieval French writer Christine de Pizan and her work deserve to be better known. THis book is a translation of one of her great works, and shows clearly medieval women were far from being the simpering ninnies or oppressed victims all too many people seem to think they were. With an excellent introduction, written by a scholar, this is a very good addition to any library on the Middle Ages.

I'd never heard of this remarkable woman before I bought this book, and I'm shocked that she isn't more publicized. The Treasure of the City of Ladies is a collection of advice for every woman in the medieval world, with none of the segments longer than 1-2 pages. It's not the easiest read in the world, but the advice is relieved with tongue-in-cheek humor. The author's interests are wide, so even though much of her advice refers to nobility, she also covers servants and regular people. This is a great research book for anyone interested in women during this era. I found this book very refreshing because, unlike other writings of the time, it refuses to believe that women are inherently weaker or prone to evil. And surprisingly, much of the author's advice is still applicable today.