... from the whole social spectrum, did contribute to the economy, although not in proportion to their percentage of the population, they did play a significant role in the developing economy of medieval cities. The lives of noble women throughout the middle ages are well documented as they had access to education and many women indulged in writing literature such as Angela of Foligno 1248-1309 who lived in Italy and the Lais of Marie de France. Historians debate the extent to which noble women held power and their contribution, if any, to the economy. During this period, noble women were often placed in positions of great responsibility when their husbands went to war; as a result many wielded great economic power. Opitz argues that aristocratic women, although a lot of their power came through their husbands and marriage, they did have to a certain degree, financial independence. Evidence for this are ...

See this essay or coursework document in full right now