An impressive collection of 29 essays by British, American and Italian scholars on important historical, artistic, cultural, social, legal, literary and theatrical aspects of women's contributions to the Italian Renaissance, in its broadest sense. Many contributions are the result of first-hand archival research and are illustrated with numerous unpublished or little-known reproductions of original material. The contributors are: on women and the court, Dilwyn Knox, Evelyn S. Welch, Francine Daenens and Diego Zancani; on women and the church, Gabriella Zarri, Victoria Primhak, Kate Lowe, Francesca Medioli and Ruth Chavasse; on legal constraints and ethical precepts, Marina Graziosi, Christine Meek, Brian Richardson, Jane Bridgeman and Daniela De Bellis; on female models of comportment, Marta Ajmar, Paola Tinagli and Sara F. Matthews Grieco; on women and the stage, Richard Andrews, Maggie Gunsberg, Rosemary E. Bancroft-Marcus; and on women and letters, Diana Robin, Virginia Cox, Pamela J. Benson, Judy Rawson, Conor Fahy, Giovanni Aquilecchia, Adriana Chemello, Giovanna Rabitti and Nadia Cannata Salamone.

This volume offers a comprehensive historical account of writing by women in Italy. Covering writing from the Middle Ages to the present day, it moves away from narrow definitions of literature, and brings to light other forms of expression such as letter writing, religious and devotional writing, travel writing, and journalism. Contributors point to the considerable practical, social and ideological difficulties faced by women in writing and presenting their work to a wider reading public, but also highlight the determination of women through the centuries in making their voices heard.

This volume offers a comprehensive historical account of writing by women in Italy. Covering writing from the Middle Ages to the present day, it moves away from narrow definitions of literature, and brings to light other forms of expression such as letter writing, religious and devotional writing, travel writing, and journalism. Contributors point to the considerable practical, social and ideological difficulties faced by women in writing and presenting their work to a wider reading public, but also highlight the determination of women through the centuries in making their voices heard.