Women’s work in the Late Middle Ages

Abstract

This paper analyses the position and role of Basque women in the labour market during the Late Middle Ages, making use of different types of documentary sources: municipal ordinances, accounting documentation, wills... In all of them appears a long list of occupations and it is reflected that they were carried out in very diverse ways and by very diverse women. On the one hand, the house-related chores are visualized: domestic work and participation in different types of family businesses. On the other hand, the specific activities carried out in rural areas. And finally, the various trades that emerged in the context of the villain economy are also patent. With all this, basically, a global interpretation of the essential labour contribution of the women of the time is carried out.