Breaking Boundaries: The Worth of Women in the Merovingian Period

In a world run by men, the question of a woman’s role in society is always relevant. Were women allowed basic rights? Were they generally respected and considered essential to society? Was there a difference in treatment based on class? The upper-class women of the Merovingians, a dynasty lasting from 457-751 CE, were viewed merely with the degrading expectations that the patriarchy allowed them. They were extremely limited and generally not respected. However, Queen Radegund’s life and accomplishments suggest that upper-class women still yearned for a more meaningful life. Radegund demonstrates the desire women had to prove their worth, and the actions they were willing to take to achieve this. In doing so, she proves the worth of women for both her time and ours