Women in the Medieval Church
450–523: Brigid of Ireland founds Ireland’s first nunnery and spreads Christianity there
475-545: Clotilde, Queen of the Franks, converts her husband, King Clovis, who lays the foundation of the French nation
500–547: Theodora I, co-empress of Byzantine Empire, helps bring moral reform
518–587: Radegunde, Queen of the Franks, maintains her faith despite King Clothaire’s adulteries and his murder of her brother; later she founds a key monastery
614–680: Hilda of Whitby founds an English monastery that trains five bishops; she hosts significant Synod of Whitby in 663
700–780: Lioba helps Boniface to convert the Saxons; founds abbey in Germany; invited to court of Charlemagne
fl. 840: Dhouda of Septimania writes a manual on feudal and religious conduct, urging her son to practice charity and serve the king and the church
932–1002: Hrotsvit composes the first known dramas in church history
1046–93: Queen Margaret of Scotland vigorously reforms the church
c. 1083–c. 1150: Anna Comnena writes an important history of the Byzantine Church and Empire of her day
c. 1097–c. 1161: Christina of Markyate overcomes obstacles to live life of prayer and poverty; influences abbot of St. Albans toward holiness
1122–1204: Eleanor of Aquitaine rules one-third of France; later co-rules, with Henry II, half of France and all England; joins crusade to Holy Land; financially supports Fontrevault Abbey
1188–1252: Blanche of Castile, Queen of Louis VIII of France, wins dispute with French bishops; performs acts of charity
1194-1253: Clare of Assisi renounces wealth; founds Order of Poor Clares; gains from pope right to maintain absolute poverty; helps save Assisi from being sacked
1207–1231: Elizabeth of Hungary, a noblewoman, ministers ...

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