In recent decades, women have received more and more attention for their contributions to societies and cultures all over the globe. In past centuries, though, women have not had the freedoms that they enjoy now. This work takes readers back to the Middle Ages, when women had extremely limited privileges and rights, and presents a tremendous amount of information on women and their lives during the time. Entries provide details on the culture, history, and circumstances of women in the Middle Ages, as well as biographical sketches of medieval women whose names have survived time and history. Also included is an introduction, which provides a general overview of what life was like, what people wore and ate, and how families were formed and cared for. Genealogies of important women are also provided.