"Anna, Barbara, Christina, ..." : Lebensbedingungen von Frauen im 14. und 15. Jahrhundert in Wiener Neustadt / von Mag. phil. Helga Rist

• VerfasserIn: Rist, Helga
• Place / Publishing House: 1994
• Year of Publication: 1994
• Language: German
• Physical Description: 580 Blätter; Illustrationen

eng: The living conditions of women depended on the social, mental and economic background of the town. All inhabitants, except for outcasts and troublemakers, were integrated in an efficient social network. The inhabitants were connected by debts and claims, the result of an economic process which was based on credit and rent, and relationships almost had the characteristc feature of a contract. The knowledge of the transitoriness of life made everybody care for the deceased. The cult of the dead became a constant feature in people' s lives. Careful instructions in the last wills aiming at the salvation of the soul not only can be seen as an expression of fear of damnation but also as an effort to have a part in eternal happiness in the other world. Contacts to the municipal authorities were part of the everyday life of women, even if they did not belong to the upper class. They were registered in the so-called 'Grundbuch' and got documents about the purchase and sale of real estates, testamentary contracts, documents about arbitral awards and securities. They could also draw up documents personally. As to economic and legal matters rich and self-confident women of the upper class could act independently. Women were mostly identified by the name of the husband, the father or the place of birth. Female behaviour often shows a high level of self-reliance, orginality and independence. But women could also lose their individuality and lapse into anonymity as registrations in the so-called 'Gewerbuch' and documents containing obligations for prayers prove.