Women and the Reformation

Women were critical participants in Christian life during the Reformations. Women and the Reformation gathers historical materials and personal accounts to provide a comprehensive and accessible look at the status and contributions of women as leaders in the 16th century Protestant world. Examining individual stories from women of the times, this volume includes biographical sketches from figures as diverse as the ex–nun Katharina von Bora Luther and Queen Jeanne d’Albret, the prophetess Ursula Jost and the learned Olimpia Fulvia Morata. The first book of its kind, this groundbreaking text brings together social history and theology, to provide an original assessment of the theological effects these women had in Christian life and spirituality. A website to accompany Women and the Reformation is available at www.blackwellpublishing.com/stjerna, featuring writings by the women included here.

Acknowledgments. Introduction. The Vision and the Scope of the Book. The Term “Reformation” and Inclusivity Concerns. Visionary Studies on Women and the Reformation. Women in this Book. Part 1 Options and Visions for Women . 1. Prophets, Visionaries, and Martyrs – Ursula Jost and her Publisher Margarethe Prüss. Introduction – Medieval Women Visionaries. Anabaptists and Martyrs. Prophets in Strasbourg and their Publisher Margarethe Prüss. Prophet Ursula Jost and her Visions. Conclusion. 2. The Monastic Option – The Struggle of the Convents. Introduction – The Drama of Closing the Convents. An Excursion – Monastic Calling. Nuns’ Fight for Freedom. Conclusion. 3. Marriage and Motherhood – The Preferred Calling. Introduction – Marriage Only?. The Holy Marital Vocation. Pastors’ Wives. Motherhood, Prostitution, Divorce. Conclusion. 4. Learning and Power – An Elusive Option. Introduction: The Impetus and Obstacles for Theological Writing. Writing with and without Visions. The Education Factor. The Educated Women. Part 2: Women as Models, Leaders and Teachers of the Reformation 49. 5. “Herr Doktor” Katharina von Bora, 1499–1552, The Lutheran Matriarch. Introduction. Katharina – From a Nun to the Ultimate Reformer’s Spouse. Conclusion. A Word about Sources and References. 6. Argula von Grumbach, 1492 to 1563/68? – A Bavarian Apologist and a Pamphleteer. Introduction. Argula as a Defender of Faith – A Valiant Christian, or a Devilish Woman?. Conclusion. A Word about Sources and References. 7. Elisabeth von Brandenburg, 1485–1555, and Elisabeth von Braunschweig, 1510–1558 – Exiled Mothers, Reforming Rulers. Introduction. Elisabeth von Brandenburg née Elisabeth of Denmark – A Reformer in Exile. Elisabeth von Braunschweig–Lüneburg (Calenberg), 1510–1558. Conclusion. A Word about Sources and References. 8. Katharina Schütz Zell, 1498–1562 – A Publishing Church Mother in Strasbourg. Introduction. A Church Mother, a Pastoral Care Provider, a Writer, Even a Preacher. Conclusion. A Word about Sources and References. 9. Marie Dentière, 1495–1561 – A Genevan Reformer and Writer. Introduction. Marie Dentière – A Feminist Reformer and Biblical Interpreteter. Conclusion. A Word about Sources and References. 10. Marguerite de Navarre, 1492–1549, and Jeanne d’Albret, 1528–1572 – The Protectors of the French Reformers. Introduction. Marguerite d’Angoulême/de Navarre – The Illustrious Queen, Writer and Spiritual Mother. Jeanne d’Albret, a Protestant Queen and a Huguenot leader. Conclusion. A Word about Sources and References. 11. Renée de France, 1510–1575 – A Friend of the Huguenots. Introduction. Renée – A French Protector of Huguenots in Italy and France. Conclusion. A Word about Sources and References. 12. Olimpia Fulvia Morata, 1526–1555 – An Italian Scholar Introduction. Olimpia Fulvia Morata, a Classicist Huguenot Teacher. Conclusion. A Word about Sources and References. Conclusions and Observations on Gender and the Reformation. Reformation and Gender, Changes and Losses. Individual Choices and Women’s Experiences. The Options for Women. Reformers’ Ideas about Women. Sola Scriptura, Education, and Legal Matters. Conclusion. Bibliography. Options and Visions for Women. Women as Models, Leaders and Teachers of the Reformation. Index

Kirsi Stjerna is Associate Professor of Reformation Church History and Director of the Institute for Luther Studies at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. She is the editor of The Role of the Bishop: Changing Models for a Global Church (2001) and Homoeroticism in the Biblical World: A Historical Perspective (1998).

“Stjerna writes in a style that will be accessible to undergraduate students, and her sophisticated analyses draw on her extensive theological training and wide reading, so that the book will be useful for more advanced students and non–specialist scholars as well.” ( The Journal of Ecclesiastical History , April 2010) “This work should be viewed as a very welcome teaching resource: it provides novice undergraduate students of the early modern with the means to be informed about and inspired by the Reformation, whilst o ff ering ample resources for postgraduates to develop ideas.” (Journal of Theological Studies, April 2010) "Concise descriptions summarize basic biographical information and analyze the leadership role of these women in the larger reformatory movements. ... A thorough bibliography (thirty–six pages) offers wide possibilities for further reading. The book succeeds in its goal." (Religious Studies Review, December 2009) "The text is fairly described as ground breaking. An extensive bibliography and a full index are provided. The price for such an academic study is refreshingly modest." (History, October 2008)