Medieval Europe Women in science

hildegard of bingen

the parts of european middle ages, known dark ages, marked decline of roman empire. latin west left great difficulties affected continent s intellectual production dramatically. although nature still seen system comprehended in light of reason, there little innovative scientific inquiry. arabic world deserves credit preserving scientific advancements. arabic scholars produced original scholarly work , generated copies of manuscripts classical periods. during period, christianity underwent period of resurgence, , western civilization bolstered result. phenomenon was, in part, due monasteries , nunneries nurtured skills of reading , writing, , monks , nuns collected , copied important writings produced scholars of past..

as mentioned before, convents important place of education women during period, monasteries , nunneries encourage skills of reading , writing, , of these communities provided opportunities women contribute scholarly research. example german abbess hildegard of bingen (1098–1179 a.d), famous philosopher , botanists, known prolific writings include treatments of various scientific subjects, including medicine, botany , natural history (c.1151–58). famous german abbess hroswitha of gandersheim (935–1000 a.d.) helped encourage women intellectual. however, growth in number , power of nunneries, all-male clerical hierarchy not welcomed toward it, , stirred conflict having backlash against women s advancement. impacted many religious orders closed on women , disbanded nunneries, , overall excluding women ability learn read , write. that, world of science became closed off women, limiting women s influence in science.

entering 11th century, first universities emerged. women were, part, excluded university education. however, there exceptions. italian university of bologna, example, allowed women attend lectures inception, in 1088.

the attitude educating women in medical fields in italy appears have been more liberal in other places. physician, trotula di ruggiero, supposed have held chair @ medical school of salerno in 11th century, taught many noble italian women, group referred ladies of salerno . several influential texts on women s medicine, dealing obstetrics , gynecology, among other topics, attributed trotula.

dorotea bucca distinguished italian physician. held chair of philosophy , medicine @ university of bologna on forty years 1390. other italian women contributions in medicine have been recorded include abella, jacobina félicie, alessandra giliani, rebecca de guarna, margarita, mercuriade (fourteenth century), constance calenda, calrice di durisio (15th century), constanza, maria incarnata , thomasia de mattio.

despite success of women, cultural biases affecting education , participation in science prominent in middle ages. example, st. thomas aquinas, christian scholar, wrote, referring women, mentally incapable of holding position of authority.