The Book of the City of Ladies

Introduction

Christine wrote the book in French in 1405. It opens with the author reading a misogynist text by Matheolus and despairing of her own sex, until three crowned ladies appear. In three books Reason lays the foundations and walls with women rulers, warriors, scholars and inventors, Rectitude builds the houses with prophetesses, devoted daughters and faithful wives, and Justice brings in the Virgin Mary as queen together with female saints. Many examples come from Boccaccio’s “On Famous Women”, but Christine reworks them for her argument. The same year she wrote a sequel, “The Treasure of the City of Ladies”, with practical advice for women of every rank.

Connections

Builds on

• The City of God (De civitate Dei)c. 426 · Augustine