Join Dana M. Polanichka, Associate Professor of History, for the upcoming lunch talk, Writing in Exile: A Medieval’s Mother Manifesto.

In 841 CE, an aristocratic woman in southern France was in desperate straits. As civil war raged in the empire, her husband betrayed the king, her teenage son became a political hostage, her unbaptized infant was taken from her arms, and her husband forced her to remain alone in Uzès. Lonely and ailing, she picked up a quill and began to write. This talk explores Dhuoda, the handbook she penned for her sons, and her rebellious ideas about daring ideas about gender and power.

Presenters will start by discussing their topic then will end with question and answer. All presentations are virtual and free. The Zoom link will be sent the day before this discussion.