Women and the Reformation Book

Acknowledgments     viii
Introduction     1
The Vision and the Scope of the Book     1
The Term "Reformation" and Inclusivity Concerns     3
Visionary Studies on Women and the Reformation     5
Women in this Book     7
Options and Visions for Women     9
Prophets, Visionaries, and Martyrs - Ursula Jost and her Publisher Margarethe Pruss     11
Introduction - Medieval Women Visionaries     11
Anabaptists and Martyrs     14
Prophets in Strasbourg and their Publisher Margarethe Pruss     17
Prophet Ursula Jost and her Visions     19
Conclusion     22
The Monastic Option - The Struggle of the Convents     23
Introduction - The Drama of Closing the Convents     23
An Excursion - Monastic Calling     24
Nuns' Fight for Freedom     26
Conclusion     30
Marriage and Motherhood - The Preferred Calling     32
Introduction - Marriage Only?     32
The Holy Marital Vocation     33
Pastors' Wives     35
Motherhood, Prostitution, Divorce     37
Conclusion     38
Learning and Power - An Elusive Option     40
Introduction: The Impetus and Obstacles for Theological Writing     40
Writing with and without Visions     42
The Education Factor     43
The Educated Women     46
Women as Models, Leaders and Teachers of the Reformation     49
"Herr Doktor" Katharina von Bora, 1499-1552. The Lutheran Matriarch     51
Introduction     52
Katharina - From a Nun to the Ultimate Reformer's Spouse     52
Conclusion     67
A Word about Sources and References     69
Argula von Grumbach, 1492 to 1563/68? - A Bavarian Apologist and a Pamphleteer     71
Introduction     72
Argula as a Defender of Faith - A Valiant Christian, or a Devilish Woman?     73
Conclusion     83
A Word about Sources and References     85
Elisabeth von Brandenburg, 1485-1555, and Elisabeth von Braunschweig, 1510-1558 - Exiled Mothers, Reforming Rulers     87
Introduction     88
Elisabeth von Brandenburg nee Elisabeth of Denmark - A Reformer in Exile     89
Elisabeth von Braunschweig-Luneburg (Calenberg)     96
Conclusion     107
A Word about Sources and References     108
Katharina Schutz Zell, 1498-1562 - A Publishing Church Mother in Strasbourg      109
Introduction     109
A Church Mother, a Pastoral Care Provider, a Writer, Even a Preacher     110
Conclusion     130
A Word about Sources and References     131
Marie Dentiere, 1495-1561 - A Genevan Reformer and Writer     133
Introduction     133
Marie Dentiere - A Feminist Reformer and Biblical Interpreteter     135
Conclusion     146
A Word about Sources and References     147
Marguerite de Navarre, 1492-1549, and Jeanne d'Albret, 1528-1572 - The Protectors of the French Reformers     149
Introduction     150
Marguerite d'Angouleme/de Navarre - The Illustrious Queen, Writer and Spiritual Mother     150
Jeanne d'Albret, a Protestant Queen and a Huguenot leader     158
Conclusion     173
A Word about Sources and References     174
Renee de France, 1510-1575 - A Friend of the Huguenots     175
Introduction     176
Renee - A French Protector of Huguenots in Italy and France     177
Conclusion     195
A Word about Sources and References     196
Olimpia Fulvia Morata, 1526/27-1555 - An Italian Scholar     197
Introduction     197
Olimpia Fulvia Morata, a Classicist Huguenot Teacher     199
Conclusion     210
A Word about Sources and References     212
Conclusions and Observations on Gender and the Reformation     213
Reformation and Gender, Changes and Losses     213
Individual Choices and Women's Experiences     216
The Options for Women     217
Reformers' Ideas about Women     219
Sola Scriptura, Education, and Legal Matters     219
Conclusion     221
Bibliography     223
Options and Visions for Women     223
Women as Models, Leaders and Teachers of the Reformation     232
Index     259