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Renaissance Woman Excerpts

About this Text: Renaissance Woman is a book of essays, reprints, sermons, and other materials written for and about women during the Renaissance.

1) “A Bride Bush” by William Whatley: First preached as a wedding sermon, Whatley claims that his book will be a great help for those in marriage “who now find it to be a little hell.” This was originally written in 1617.

a. The whole duty of the wife is referred to two heads. The first is to acknowledge her inferiority, the next to carry herself as inferior. Firs then, the wife’s judgment must be convinced that she is not her husband’s equal, yea that her husband is her better by far: else there can be no contentment, either in her heart or in her house. If she stand upon terms of equality, much more of being better than he is, the very root of good carriage is withered and the foundation thereof is dried up. Out of place, out of peace. If ever thou propose to be a good wife, and to live comfortably, set down this with thy self. Mine husband is my superior, my better: he hath authority and rule over me: nature hath given it him, having framed our bodies to tenderness, men’s to more hardness. God hath given it to him saying to our first mother Eve, “ They desire shall be subject to him, and he shall rule over thee. His will is tie and tether even of my desires and wishes. I will not strive against God and nature. Though my sin hath made my place tedious, yet I will confess the truth. Mine husband is my superior, my better.” If the wife does not learn this lesson perfectly, there will be wrangling, repining, striving, vying to be equal with him, or above him. And thus their life will be but a battle, and a trying of masteries. A woeful living.

2) “The Mirror of Modesty” by Thomas Salter: from a book in which Salter advises mothers on how best to educate (or not educate) their daughters. Originally written in 1578

a. Whereas some parents be of the opinion that it is necessary for maidens to be skillful in philosophy more and natural, thinking it an honor into them to be thought well-learned, I for my part am of the opposite opinion because that by the same they are made to understand the evils imminent to human life. Thereby is opened to them the inclinations and proneness[footnoteRef:1], which naturally even from our cradles we have, to vice, which knowledge is not requisite to be in young women. Likewise the examples of evil and wicked men, the corrupt lives, the heaps of pleasures, pastimes, delights, and recreations, and the deceits and guiles of our ghostly enemy, from the which we see how the wary wise man can hardly defend himself (much less the young and tender virgin) with the protection and armor of great learning. The evil use of learning has more often been the cause of discommodity and evil than the right and laudable use of it has been of profit and benefit. In a virtuous virgin and modest maiden, such education is more dangerous and hurtful than necessary and praiseworthy. [1: Temptation]

b. I am therefore of this advice, that it is not good nor convenient for a maiden to be taught or trained up in learning of human arts[footnoteRef:2], in whom a virtuous demeanor and honest behavior will be a more beautiful ornament than the light or vainglory of learning, for in learning and studying of the arts there are two things finally proposed unto us: recreation and profit. Touching profit, that is not to be looked for at the hands of her whom is given us for a companion in our labors, but rather every woman ought wholly to be active and diligent about the government of her household and family; touching recreation by learning, that cannot be granted her without great danger and offence to the beauty and brightness of her mind. Seeing then that the government of estates and public wills are not committed into the hands of women, neither that it is lawful or convenient for them to write laws by which men should be ruled and governed[footnoteRef:3], neither as professors of science or faculty, to teach in schools the wisdom of laws and philosophy; and seeing also that in such studies that yield recreation and pleasure, there is no less danger that they will as well learn to be subtle and shameless lovers, as cunning and skilful writers of filthy stories, sonnets, epigrams, and ballads; let them be restrained only to the care and government of a family. [2: Here, he means the liberal arts: Literature, history, languages, etc. ] [3: See 1 Timothy 2:11]