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The accepted norms in medieval Spain restricted women’s freedom, stressed the importance of their ‘modesty’ and confined them to the boundaries of the home. Nevertheless, existing testimonies from that period are sufficient to reveal the gap between theory and practice. Women took part in providing for the family, mostly by working in ‘feminine’ crafts such as embroidery and weaving. But some were also moneylenders and ran businesses. Women stood their ground and demanded their rights, including in family disputes, even counter to the authorities on religious law.
However, as a rule, women were not given an education and some were even illiterate. Most of them were only taught basic prayers and regulations, the knowledge of which was essential to managing the household.
