Books by Katherine L. French

French argues that medieval laywomen both coped with the chaotic changes following the plague and justified their own changing behavior by participating in local religion. Through active engagement in the parish church, the basic unit of public worship, women promoted and validated their own interests and responsibilities.

"Katherine French puts a human face on the history of the English medieval parish between the end of the fourteenth century and the Reformation."-Carol Davidson-Cragoe, TMR

Offering a methodological and disciplinary range, from political history to social history, this title features contributors who tackle subjects from the identification of 'alien' clothworkers to the communal aspects of the mayor of Norwich's 'body'; from the self-creation of noble widows to the community creation of 'chaste women' collectives.