How a medieval writer built a fortress to defend women against centuries of slander

Art · Published 3 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 1405, Christine de Pizan constructed an allegorical city to house history’s most remarkable women. By collecting their stories, she systematically dismantled the misogynistic claims of contemporary male authors. Her work remains a foundational text of early feminist thought, proving that a pen can be as defensive as stone.

Completed around 1405, Christine de Pizan’s masterpiece serves as a direct rebuttal to the pervasive anti-female sentiment found in medieval literature. After reading a disparaging text by Matheolus, Pizan felt such profound shame that she questioned her own nature. This crisis prompted the arrival of three allegorical figures—Reason, Rectitude, and Justice—who guided her in building a metaphorical city. This structure was not made of mortar, but of the lives and achievements of women throughout history, serving as a sanctuary against the lies of slanderers.

The city is organized into three distinct sections, each overseen by a specific Virtue. Lady Reason assists in laying the foundation by addressing why men attack women, while Lady Rectitude helps construct the internal buildings by sharing stories of virtuous pagan, Hebrew, and Christian women. Finally, Lady Justice adds the finishing touches, including a queen to rule the city. Pizan draws heavily from Giovanni Boccaccio’s biographical treatises, though she reinterprets his often misogynistic framing to argue for women’s intellectual capacity and their right to education and government.

Pizan’s definition of a 'lady' transcends noble birth, focusing instead on those of noble spirit. By documenting the contributions of 165 women across the three parts of her work, she creates a powerful counter-narrative to the idea that women are inherently inferior. Her writing, composed in vernacular French with Latin-style syntax, was not merely a collection of biographies; it was a deliberate political act. She challenged the era's learned men, arguing that their collective consensus against women was a falsehood that needed to be excavated and replaced with evidence of female excellence.

The legacy of this work extends beyond its original medieval context. Pizan’s insistence that women possess a natural affinity for learning and a talent for governance laid the groundwork for future debates on gender equality. By inviting women to protect their 'glorious good name' within the walls of her city, she provided a blueprint for female agency that remains relevant centuries later. Her work stands as a testament to the power of literature to reshape cultural perceptions and defend the dignity of an entire sex.

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