Womens Role England 1558- 1667
Lawrence Stone in 1979 claimed that during 1558-1667 change in the family structure (impacting women) was the most important social change in 1,000 years. Further historical research has now discredited this theory. The years 1558- 1667 are largely characterised by continuity rather than change and the lifestyle of women did not change markedly. Alan Macfarlane's research suggests that structures and roles had not changed since 1300. There was a social continuity through the whole pre-industrial era in England, where women had an inferior status to men. In 1617 William Whately in a wedding sermon pronounced, "The whole duty of a wife is referred to by two heads. The first is to acknowledge her inferiority; the next was to carry herself as inferior." He was not being provocative, but simply stating common knowledge and practice. Throughout the period this difference between the two sexes was a fundamental principle upon which society was constructed. This is the main historical context in terms of analysing the role of women. However, there were occasions of major upheaval that saw disruptions and some changes, albeit not lasting ones. One can also view the issue in context of social class which influenced particular women's lives.
Merchant's wives ran large households. There was no law against domestic abuse but it was frowned upon by society. Accusations of women practising witchcraft increased. " They may have been because they were not allowed the same employment opportunities as men anyway. Women could not hold office in the protestant church, which was made stronger by removing nunneries. Therefore they were inferior to men. Inheritance was by primogeniture so the bulk of a family's wealth would go to the eldest son regardless of the girls. Although employment opportunities were restricted for women many worked from home and were skilled in many areas. Women could still not attend universities, Inns of Court or grammar schools. Service maid was an acceptable job for women and a few turned to prostitution. "The family was the basic unit of production and reproduction. Women had a subordinate status to men in all areas of life. By the seventeenth century, private girls' schools were opened in London. A predominant feature of England 1558-1667 saw social continuity and a patriarchal society from the middle ages, where women had a subordinate status to men and who encountered many restrictions. "Women were not expected to need the same education as men, and many men thought they were incapable of benefiting from it.
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changes albeit lasting,
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