Queens: Kingship In The Middle Ages

Queenship in the Middle Ages has taken a back seat in history to the predominately known and discussed Kingship, much like how typically in history women have taken a back seat to men. It has been revealed, however, that queens were often very important instruments or contributors to a King’s reign. Despite society’s efforts to minimize the role of queens and make them less important, queens directly affected a king’s reputation through their own and through their influence. These attributes, therefore gave queens the power that was so adamantly denied to them. Queens had many menial duties including keeping the household and bearing and rearing the king’s children. These roles, for the most part, kept queens out of politics or diplomacy,

She did this through strategically surrounding not only herself, but her husband as well, with loyal subjects, and most importantly making sure her power was solidified through her family and above all her children. Her children were most important because they would continue their parent’s

In this, she touches briefly upon the power queens could unconsciously hold in the way that their societies viewed them. In stating, “the public images of elite women were carefully constructed to put their male kinsmen in either a positive or a negative light.”14 de Jong uses three examples of the idea of Queens and beauty to illustrate her point (centered around Judith), but also the point of the influence Queens could