Women and the Reformation

Copyright © 2009 Kirsi Stjerna

Women and the Reformation

Author(s): Kirsi Stjerna

Published Online: 27 MAR 2009

Print ISBN: 9781405114226

Online ISBN: 9781444302899

DOI: 10.1002/9781444302899

About this Book

Product Information

About The Product

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.


  • Explores the new and expanded role as core participants in Christian life that women experienced during the Reformation
  • Examines diverse individual stories from women of the times, ranging from biographical sketches of the ex-nun Katharina von Bora Luther and Queen Jeanne d'Albret, to the prophetess Ursula Jost and the learned Olimpia Fulvia Morata
  • Brings together social history and theology to provide a groundbreaking volume on the theological effects that these women had on Christian life and spirituality
  • Accompanied by a website at www.blackwellpublishing.com/stjerna offering student's access to the writings by the women featured in the book

Table of contents

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      Front Matter (pages i–ix)

    1. Introduction (pages 1–8)

  3. Part 1: Options and Visions for Women

    1. Chapter 1

      Prophets, Visionaries, and Martyrs – Ursula Jost and her Publisher Margarethe Prüss (pages 9–22)

    2. Chapter 2

      The Monastic Option – The Struggle of the Convents (pages 23–31)

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      Chapter 3

      Marriage and Motherhood – The Preferred Calling (pages 32–39)

    4. Chapter 4

      Learning and Power – An Elusive Option (pages 40–47)

  4. Part 2: Women as Models, Leaders and Teachers of the Reformation

    1. Chapter 5

      “Herr Doktor” Katharina Von Bora, 1499–1552. The Lutheran Matriarch (pages 49–70)

    2. Chapter 6

      Argula Von Grumbach, 1492 to 1563/68? – A Bavarian Apologist and a Pamphleteer (pages 71–85)

    3. Chapter 7

      Elisabeth Von Brandenburg, 1485–1555, and Elisabeth Von Braunschweig, 1510–1558 – Exiled Mothers, Reforming Rulers (pages 87–108)

    4. Chapter 8

      Katharina Schütz Zell, 1498–1562 – A Publishing Church Mother in Strasbourg (pages 109–131)

    5. Chapter 9

      Marie Dentière, 1495–1561 – A Genevan Reformer and Writer (pages 133–147)

    6. Chapter 10

      Marguerite de Navarre, 1492–1549, and Jeanne d'Albret, 1528–1572 – The Protectors of the French Reformers (pages 149–174)

    7. Chapter 11

      Renée de France, 1510–1575 – A Friend of the Huguenots (pages 175–196)

    8. Chapter 12

      Olimpia Fulvia Morata, 1526/27–1555 – An Italian Scholar (pages 197–212)

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      Conclusions and Observations on Gender and the Reformation (pages 213–222)

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      Bibliography (pages 223–258)

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      Index (pages 259–269)

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