[In 16th century European society] Marriage was the triumphal arch through which women, almost without exception, had to pass in order to reach the public eye. And after marriage followed, in theory, the total self-abnegation of the woman.

Antonia Fraser
About This Quote

In the 16th century, in much of Europe, the social position of women was extremely low, and expected to remain that way. Marriage was expected to be an exploitative, oppressive institution. The only way for a woman to rise above her station was to take on the role of wife and mother; once she had married, the only options were to accept her husband’s authority or leave.

Source: The Wives Of Henry Viii

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