Letters+of+Margaret+Paston

=Letters of Margaret Paston=



Analysis

 * Pg. 190**


 * These letters were written in 15th century England during a time of social turmoil and violence.


 * It was a way of frequent communication between husband and wife, John and Margaret Paston.


 * They are important because they provide historians with insight into the land rights, politics, and everyday business of an estate during that time.


 * Margaret was left alone with the estate while her husband was away on business
 * Women in her position had difficult times because they only had limited rights to property.


 * The first two letters are from Margaret to John about the October incidents in which they are struggling to keep their property.
 * The Duke of Suffolk desired the Paston’s property and wanted to force them out.


 * The third letter is from Margaret to her knighted son, Sir John Paston asking if he could help the widow defend a castle.
 * The Duke had sent spies to try to take over the manor.
 * In order to keep the estate, she needed to keep close ties with her aristocratic friends.

QUOTES

From Margaret to son pg. 193, “I cannot guide nor rule soldiers well and they set not by [do not respect] a woman as they should by a man.”

QUESTIONS

Do you have sympathy for Margaret? Why or why not?

How does the life of a woman in medieval times relate to women in today’s society?

Key Words
__Aldermen__ - chief officers in a shire, or district. __Enquiry__ - question; investigation __Succor__ - help; aid; relieve __Certify__ - declare a thing true or accurate __Remnant__ - what is left over; remainder; residue __Ransacked__ -searched through for plunder; pillaged; robbed __Asunder__ - into parts of peices __Assult__ - violently attack