He is the sun, she is the moon

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Renowned German social historian Heide Wunder explores the cosmic image from the 1578 Book of Marital Discipline, illustrating the relationship between husband and wife. While "He is the sun, she is the moon" may suggest dominance and subordination today, it originally reflected the different yet equal status of spouses. Wunder emphasizes that understanding the history of women and gender relations is vital for insights into societal organization and political action. She examines both actual circumstances and the normative rules guiding women's lives, revealing the skills necessary for household management, dietary practices, home furnishings, available birth control measures, and women's roles in peasant protests. Contrary to the prevailing narrative of losses for women, she uncovers a history of gains, highlighting the normalcy of noble women's regency and the shared responsibilities of spouses in various domestic and economic settings. Utilizing diverse sources such as memoirs, sermons, novels, and demographic data, Wunder presents a surprising new image of early modern women, enriching our understanding of early modern Europe.