Literacy in the Middle Ages is often assumed to have been a male privilege—but the evidence tells a different story. While men dominated the universities and official clerical positions, numerous women—especially in the aristocracy—were not only readers but also curators of substantial private libraries. Two notable examples of such collections are those of Marie de Berry and Jeanne d’Artois. Their libraries, rich in religious, philosophical, and medical works, offer valuable insights into the intellectual interests and devotional lives of medieval women. This article explores what these libraries reveal about female literacy and learning in the Late Middle Ages.
Marie de Berry: A Legacy of Literary Wealth
Marie de Berry inherited a vast collection from her father, the famous Duke of Berry, known for commissioning the Très Riches Heures that bears his name. As one of the largest private libraries of the Middle Ages, her collection is believed to have contained several hundred books. However, while Marie actively expanded her library, it was originally a paternal legacy rather than a purely independent endeavor. This reflects the common pattern of women inheriting literary collections rather than creating them from scratch. Nevertheless, her dedication to the preservation and enrichment of this library underscores the role women played in the intellectual life of medieval aristocracy.
The Library of Jeanne d’Artois: A Personal Intellectual Treasure
In contrast to Marie de Berry’s inherited collection, the library of Jeanne d’Artois (1353–1387), possibly the demoiselle of Dreux, was built as a personal endeavor. Her collection was so valuable that it was specifically mentioned in her will, in which she bequeathed her furniture and other possessions, including her books, to Nicolas Rollin, chancellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy.
Jeanne d’Artois’s library included:
Two psalters, one more lavish and expensive than the other
Roman de la Rose by Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meung
Le Livre des échecs amoureux moralisés by Evrard de Conty (c. 1400)
A missal, considered the most precious book in her collection
L’Aiguillon d’Amour Divine, a translation of the Stimulus Amoris
Liber Pantegni, a Latin medical treatise by Constantine the African
Several Christian moral works, possibly authored by Jean Gerson
Petite Chirurgie by Lanfranc of Milan
L’Antidotoire, another medical treatise
Additional medical books
The Lamentations of Saint Bernard
A theological analysis on wise and foolish women based on the Gospel of Matthew (25:1–13)
Trésor by Brunetto Latini, an encyclopedia of knowledge
Testament of Jean de Meung
Les Dix Moraux des philosophes by Guillaume de Tignonville, a compilation of ancient philosophical texts and biographies
Le Pèlerinage de la Vie Humaine by Guillaume de Digulleville, an allegory of the Christian journey to the Heavenly City
A book compiling moral examples from La Légende Dorée and Lives of the Fathers
Le Livre de l’Annonciation de Notre-Dame à la Vierge Marie
This collection places a strong emphasis on devotion and morality. Notably, historiographical and legal works are almost entirely absent, reflecting the gendered division of intellectual interests. Unlike male libraries, which often featured chivalric romances, hunting treatises, or legal texts, Jeanne d’Artois’s collection reflects a focus on spirituality, morality, and medicine—subjects of particular interest to medieval women.
A female teacher instructing a group of young women in reading, as they hold open books. British Library MS Harley 3828, fol. 27v
Women and Medicine: A Special Interest in Medieval Libraries
Among the many themes in Jeanne’s collection, one stands out in particular—medicine. Her significant investment in medical literature was not unusual among aristocratic women, who often played a central role in managing household health. Medical knowledge was practical and valued, especially by noblewomen overseeing the well-being of their families and dependents.
Interestingly, while Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, had no medical books in his personal library, his wife, Margaret of Flanders, owned several. This suggests that medical literacy was more commonly associated with women, further reinforcing their role in caregiving and household management.
Challenging the Myth of Female Illiteracy
Despite persistent assumptions that medieval women were largely excluded from literacy, these collections prove otherwise. Women not only had access to books but actively participated in the intellectual culture of their time. While they were not the majority, it is incorrect to claim that “the female condition was marked by cultural inferiority: less than men, and later than them, they had access to literacy.” Female literacy may not have been as widespread as male literacy, but among the nobility, it was both valued and cultivated.
The libraries of Marie de Berry and Jeanne d’Artois stand as remarkable testaments to the intellectual pursuits of medieval women. Whether inherited or personally built, these collections reflect the interests and priorities of female readers in the Late Middle Ages. Their focus on devotion, morality, and medicine distinguishes them from male libraries, which often prioritised law, history, and chivalric romance.
These examples challenge the narrative of female illiteracy and remind us that medieval women were not merely passive recipients of culture—they were its curators, readers, and preservers.
Dr Lorris Chevalier, who has a Ph.D. in medieval literature, is a historical advisor for movies, including The Last Duel and Napoleon. Click here to view his website.
By Lorris Chevalier
Literacy in the Middle Ages is often assumed to have been a male privilege—but the evidence tells a different story. While men dominated the universities and official clerical positions, numerous women—especially in the aristocracy—were not only readers but also curators of substantial private libraries. Two notable examples of such collections are those of Marie de Berry and Jeanne d’Artois. Their libraries, rich in religious, philosophical, and medical works, offer valuable insights into the intellectual interests and devotional lives of medieval women. This article explores what these libraries reveal about female literacy and learning in the Late Middle Ages.
Marie de Berry: A Legacy of Literary Wealth
Marie de Berry inherited a vast collection from her father, the famous Duke of Berry, known for commissioning the Très Riches Heures that bears his name. As one of the largest private libraries of the Middle Ages, her collection is believed to have contained several hundred books. However, while Marie actively expanded her library, it was originally a paternal legacy rather than a purely independent endeavor. This reflects the common pattern of women inheriting literary collections rather than creating them from scratch. Nevertheless, her dedication to the preservation and enrichment of this library underscores the role women played in the intellectual life of medieval aristocracy.
The Library of Jeanne d’Artois: A Personal Intellectual Treasure
In contrast to Marie de Berry’s inherited collection, the library of Jeanne d’Artois (1353–1387), possibly the demoiselle of Dreux, was built as a personal endeavor. Her collection was so valuable that it was specifically mentioned in her will, in which she bequeathed her furniture and other possessions, including her books, to Nicolas Rollin, chancellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy.
Jeanne d’Artois’s library included:
This collection places a strong emphasis on devotion and morality. Notably, historiographical and legal works are almost entirely absent, reflecting the gendered division of intellectual interests. Unlike male libraries, which often featured chivalric romances, hunting treatises, or legal texts, Jeanne d’Artois’s collection reflects a focus on spirituality, morality, and medicine—subjects of particular interest to medieval women.
Women and Medicine: A Special Interest in Medieval Libraries
Among the many themes in Jeanne’s collection, one stands out in particular—medicine. Her significant investment in medical literature was not unusual among aristocratic women, who often played a central role in managing household health. Medical knowledge was practical and valued, especially by noblewomen overseeing the well-being of their families and dependents.
Interestingly, while Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, had no medical books in his personal library, his wife, Margaret of Flanders, owned several. This suggests that medical literacy was more commonly associated with women, further reinforcing their role in caregiving and household management.
Challenging the Myth of Female Illiteracy
Despite persistent assumptions that medieval women were largely excluded from literacy, these collections prove otherwise. Women not only had access to books but actively participated in the intellectual culture of their time. While they were not the majority, it is incorrect to claim that “the female condition was marked by cultural inferiority: less than men, and later than them, they had access to literacy.” Female literacy may not have been as widespread as male literacy, but among the nobility, it was both valued and cultivated.
The libraries of Marie de Berry and Jeanne d’Artois stand as remarkable testaments to the intellectual pursuits of medieval women. Whether inherited or personally built, these collections reflect the interests and priorities of female readers in the Late Middle Ages. Their focus on devotion, morality, and medicine distinguishes them from male libraries, which often prioritised law, history, and chivalric romance.
These examples challenge the narrative of female illiteracy and remind us that medieval women were not merely passive recipients of culture—they were its curators, readers, and preservers.
Dr Lorris Chevalier, who has a Ph.D. in medieval literature, is a historical advisor for movies, including The Last Duel and Napoleon. Click here to view his website.
Click here to read more from Lorris Chevalier
Top Image: Bodleian Library MS. Douce 231 fol. 3r
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