ENGL 4252

When Women Ruled the World: Female Sovereignty in the Renaissance

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2015-2016.

As a result of various dynastic accidents, in the 16th century women held power in England, Scotland, France, and the Netherlands. In this course we will interrogate the rich literature and art of the period to see how various cultures adapted to the anomaly of female rule. We will also look at the conversations the women rulers held among themselves as to their shared predicaments, aiming to revise the story of simple sexual jealousy between Mary, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth Tudor by adding the important interlocutor, Catherine de Médicis, unofficial ruler of France. We will also look at the proto-republican political theory that gathered force during the latter half of the 16th century, which the queens found it necessary to contest.

When Offered Fall.

Breadth Requirement (HB)
Distribution Category (LA-AS)
Satisfies Requirement This course may be used as one of the three pre-1800 courses required of English majors.

View Enrollment Information