"Regardless of social rank and religion, whether Christian, Jewish or Muslim, Arab women in the Middle Ages played an important role in the functioning of society. This book is a rare journey into their daily lives, their private spaces and public roles." "First we are introduced into the women's sanctuaries, their homes, and what occurs within its realm - marriage and contraception, childbirth and childcare, culinary traditions, body and beauty rituals - providing rare insight into the rites and rituals prevalent among the different communities of the time." "These women were also much present in the public arena and made important contributions in the fields of scholarship and the affairs of the state. A number of them were benefactresses, poets, calligraphers, teachers and sales women. Others were singing girls, professional mourners, bath-attendants and prostitutes. How these women managed their daily affairs, both personal and professional, defined their roles in the wider spaces of society." "Drawing from the traditions, as well as legal documents, historical sources and popular chronicles of the time, Guthrie's book is an informative study of an area which remains relatively unexplored."--BOOK JACKET.