The language of medieval sexism

In the patriarchy of medieval society women were often reduced to two opposing contrasts: the moral ideal versus the moral degenerate. This idea stemmed from religious literature, whereby the pious Virgin Mary contrasted with the corrupting temptress Eve.

Curiously, in medieval England words such as ‘witch’, ‘shrew’ and ‘scold’, which began as ways to demean men, eventually became used to stereotype ‘difficult’ or ‘aggressive’ women who were supposed to be obedient.

This male-driven dichotomy of language surrounding women praised those of virtue as ‘virgins’, ‘maidens’ and ‘angels’, compared to ‘b*tches’ and ‘whores’. The negative personification of sensual women resulted in a laundry list of derogatory terms, ranging from ‘harlots’ to ‘wagtails’.