Abstract:Abstract:In the Middle Ages and the early modern period, a woman's social identity changed when her husband died. She became both a symbol of his loss, and a living monument to his legacy-an ambassador between the living and the dead. Responsible not only for preserving his memory on earth, a widow was also expected to pray on behalf of her husband's soul, to work to rescue him from the torments of Purgatory through her dutiful appeals. Widows were at once asked to pray quietly alone, and tasked with work cent… Show more
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