The French Queen 's Letters: Mary Tudor Brandon and the Politics of Marriage in Sixteenth-Century Europe
The French Queen 's Letters: Mary Tudor Brandon and the Politics of Marriage in Sixteenth-Century Europe written by Erin A. Sadlack “attempts to broaden the understanding of women’s paths to power in the sixteenth century.” Sadlack’s a credibility stems from her PhD in Medieval and British Literature. She is a professor at the University of Maryland where she teaches courses in Medieval and Early Modern British Literature, Rhetoric and Composition, as well as Women’s studies. The biography discusses how Mary made political gains in the sixteenth century be it by her marriages, first to King Louis XII then to Charles Brandon, or through …show more content…
It also went into detail about the strenuous studying that Mary did. From readings, and language, to talents, and modesty. The young princess had to grow and learn an enormous amount. However, she gained the most from watching and imitating others. While this highlights the importance of education in a well-rounded atmosphere it leaves out actual struggles. One did not know who she would be married off to so she couldn’t study language just yet, and if she where like Catherine and have issues understanding the nobility or court surrounding her could she be successful? Sadlack argues that her writing would save her, but without the help of a tutor and counselor she would not have been able to write to her husband or have any influence with the noblemen of the country until she gained an understanding of the language, in which case her best bet is to be modest, talented, and pretty. It isn’t until after Mary knows who she will be married to and studies french that she has any power. Once she married King Louis XII and became Queen of France did she gain any real political
The French Queen 's Letters: Mary Tudor Brandon and the Politics of Marriage in Sixteenth-Century Europe written by Erin A. Sadlack “attempts to broaden the understanding of women’s paths to power in the sixteenth century.” Sadlack’s a credibility stems from her PhD in Medieval and British Literature. She is a professor at the University of Maryland where she teaches courses in Medieval and Early Modern British Literature, Rhetoric and Composition, as well as Women’s studies. The biography discusses how Mary made political gains in the sixteenth century be it by her marriages, first to King Louis XII then to Charles Brandon, or through …show more content…
It also went into detail about the strenuous studying that Mary did. From readings, and language, to talents, and modesty. The young princess had to grow and learn an enormous amount. However, she gained the most from watching and imitating others. While this highlights the importance of education in a well-rounded atmosphere it leaves out actual struggles. One did not know who she would be married off to so she couldn’t study language just yet, and if she where like Catherine and have issues understanding the nobility or court surrounding her could she be successful? Sadlack argues that her writing would save her, but without the help of a tutor and counselor she would not have been able to write to her husband or have any influence with the noblemen of the country until she gained an understanding of the language, in which case her best bet is to be modest, talented, and pretty. It isn’t until after Mary knows who she will be married to and studies french that she has any power. Once she married King Louis XII and became Queen of France did she gain any real political