The Historical Study of Women

Amanda Capern has provided a thoughtful analysis of the ideologies and events that shaped early modern women's lives, and the myriad ways in which individuals and groups accepted, transformed or rejected their position. More than the survey implied by its title, this book is ‘an extended exploration of the processes involved in the construction of femininity in early-modern England’ (p. 1). In each chapter, Capern deftly appraises the historiography, before presenting her own critique of the principal sources. Alongside the overview of each topic, she engages in a detailed analysis of key events, players and commentators, to present an insightful and balanced reassessment of commonly held historical assumptions. Capern's capacity for marrying synthesis with a close reading of the texts and images is one of her book's great strengths. It is an essential text for students seeking an introduction to the subject, and for scholars who want their preconceptions challenged

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