"Well-behaved women?" Exploring Female Archetypes Through History

Join historian Dr Robyn Atcheson for a 5 week course on women's history.

Each week will take a different female archetype and break down what each role really meant throughout the centuries with stories about a range of women throughout history.

Participants will receive a primary sourcebook full of the words of women from centuries ago which will help shape each week's discussion. No prior knowledge is necessary.

This course is not just about learning something new from an expert in women's history but also about connecting with women in the past, sharing stories and chat with each other and uncovering the hidden history of women all around us.

The course will begin on Wednesday 15th April and will end on Wednesday 13th May, meeting weekly at 7pm.

This course has sold out twice previously so book early to avoid disappointment!

Tea & coffee provided.

Info: Week 1 looks at the good girls, the saints. We will cover historical concepts of virginity, the rise of religious women and the changing face of nursing over the centuries.

Info: Week 2 focuses on the bad girls, the sinners. What was life like for sex workers and for women who had "fallen" short of society's expectations? We'll look at unmarried mothers and also the ultimate sinful women, those who killed.

Info: Week 3 begins with an exploration of the role of a wife and what made a perfect wife. We will then look at the ideals of motherhood, why women were confined to the home and how giving birth changed over the years.

Info: Week 4 deals with women accused or suspected of being witches and asks "what makes a woman a witch?" From the witch trials of the early modern period to the representation of witches right through to the 20th century, we'll look at what type of women were at risk.

Info: Week 5 finishes with our last archetypal woman, the rebel. What could a woman's life be if she refused to stay in her lane and play by the rules? We will look at women & work, women in politics and the ultimate rebel women, those who fought for women's suffrage.

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Host or Publisher Dr Robyn Atcheson