Gender as a category of difference has a profound influence on the access to power and authority in most societies - past or present. Our workshop will explore the gendered nature of political authority by focusing on queens and other female aristocrats. It will offer a platform to discuss new approaches and different methods for the study of gender. The talks will address the varying self-images, ideas, projections, practices, and agencies pertaining to women as landgravines and queens, as wives, daughters, and widows in Britain and the Holy Roman Empire from c. 1000 to 1500.

To shed light on how the standing of rulers was shaped by different factors, situations, and actions is a crucial task for historians. The workshop seeks to enable young researchers with a focus on gender to discuss their work with students, interested guests, and accomplished scholars from Germany and Great Britain. Participants will gain new perspectives for their research in the field of Gender History, win experience in an international setting and a better understanding of the needs and benefits that characterize international scientific cooperation.

The Conference will be free of charge. A prior registration is welcome.