Alès: The faces of medieval women are drawn in ink on parchments

Une exposition coordonnée par Olivier Taxi, assistant de conservation du patrimoine, et Benjamin Marty, directeur des archives. S. B. – STEPHANE BARBIER

Until November 8, the municipal archives are exhibiting parchments from the 13th to the 15th century illustrating “The Alesiennes at the end of the Middle Ages”.

“  The beauty of the body does not reside in the skin. Indeed, if men saw what is under the skin, the sight of women would make them feel nauseous. While we do not suffer from touching a spit or a dropping, how can we desire to kiss this bag of droppings ? " Odon, Abbot of Cluny, author of this diatribe of absolute vulgarity and misogyny, welcomes the visitor at the doors of the municipal archives of the city of Alès.

Daughter of, wife of, widow of, but not only…

A text of formidable efficiency in order to evaluate the obscurantist vision of the Church of the Middle Ages on the subject of women. Woman whose Church, at the same time, will impose in an equally despotic manner a virginal figure in the person of the Virgin Mary through whom salvation will come… Between these two imposed figures, in a story written by men for men, the director of the archives, Benjamin Marty, and Olivier Taxi, assistant, have brought out another reality. That of the tragic or remarkable fate of women that authentic parchments and registers from the 13th to the 15th century, in Latin or Occitan and of an administrative nature, relate.

“ The society of the time, in the texts, makes women inferior beings, explains Benjamin Marty. Created, according to the Bible, from a rib of Adam, from a man who is the prototype, she is invisible. The woman is designated daughter of, wife of, or widow of. But we feel that among aristocrats they can manage their property, sue, deal with the notary… »

Adélaide Pelet, Galburge de Connilère, Jacquette Capdur, Catherine Lozeran… Reading the labels translating the texts, women appear. "  Béatrice de Melgueil is interesting because she manages all her property, specifies Olivier Taxi, heritage conservation assistant. We see her making a donation to her daughter Ermessin de Pelet and granddaughter Douce de Provence and thus disinheriting her son Bernard Pelet. We see the vassals paying homage to her in 1 162.  "

The situation of widowhood is frequently mentioned. The woman then has three choices: remaining single, remarriage or commitment to a religious order. " Some, to escape social or family pressure, put themselves at the service of a hospital like the widow Alunys." In 1336, she made a donation in favor of the hospital, committing herself to cultivate the properties, prune and dig the vines without any profit.
The drama of prostitution is also documented by emphasizing the ambiguity of the powers, considering it as a necessary evil. Thus, in 1453, through the voice of the viguiers of Alès, it is requested "“that women of ill repute must not leave the district assigned to them under penalty of a fine of 10 livres tournois and confiscation of the dress” , at the time of their arrest. Deemed too severe by the consuls, the order will be revoked.
As the readings progress, the topicality of the fate of women appears. And encourages us to exhume the quote from Simone de Beauvoir: “Never forget that it will only take a political, economic or religious crisis for women's rights to be called into question. These rights are never acquired. You will have to remain vigilant throughout your life."

Exhibition from Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at 4, bd Gambetta, in Alès. Tours are offered on Thursdays, October 3, 17 and 31, at 6 p.m., by reservation. Tel. 04 66 54 32 20. I subscribe to read the rest