Margaret Paston Research Essay

In the Middle Ages, Margaret Paston’s Various Roles

In the Middle Ages, Margaret Paston displayed strength in her roles as a wife, businesswoman, state administrator, and protector of her husband’s possessions. Margaret Paston’s responsibilities included overseeing her husband’s estate and running their house because he was frequently gone. She also served as a mediator between him and a number of people with whom he had dealings, though it was a challenging job. (Hainsworth 10). She was responsible for collecting both the rent from tenants and the debts that former clients owed her spouse. She was uncomfortable with such duties. Since their property needed a manager and she was the only person entrusted by Paston to do it, she had no other alternative. She complained of being uncomfortable for being exposed to sundry men at her young age. Margaret was the unique woman for performing roles that were preserved for men including representing her husband in legal matters. For instance, in 1449, she defended their property from Lord Moleyn who wanted to grab it (Gastle 123). She also managed the finances and all the properties of the family including her husband’s businesses.

Margaret’s Oversight of the Estate and Businesses

Margaret also performed the role of oversight of the estate and other businesses. Although she was quite young at 18 years, she managed to keep the estate and businesses of her husband secure from the grabbers. However, her husband recommended her to consult her steward named Richard Calle in some issues, which he could handle (Gastle 125). In addition, she could send Calle to mediate between the outside world and domestic trade. She therefore had the overall authority to give directions on the activities to be done. She was also the successful trader, since she could do business outside her country boundaries. It reveals her strength and hardworking spirit that enabled her to keep her husband’s wealth intact. She played the role of a manager as well as entrepreneur, completing the duties that were preserved for men.

Margaret’s Effectiveness as a Businessperson and Wife

Margaret was also an effective businessperson besides being a wife, as indicated in the letters she wrote. She used to ask her husband for London fabrics which she used to make dresses, food items, and candles. She talked about their children and family matters which revealed that she performed her duties as a mother, wife, and home manager. She was obedient since she did not ignore her husband’s request to manage the family businesses. Although she expressed her fears in letters, she still went on to manage businesses and defend their property. She was the partner to her husband according to the customs in the Middle Ages. During the time, a marriage was considered as a partnership in which husband and wife were expected to work together to bring up a good family. Margaret played the role of a middle-class businesswoman strong enough to defend the family businesses (Gastle 128). However, each had to perform in his/her constructed role. Margaret performed the duties of husband and wife since Paston was away for long periods. She used to send shopping lists to her husband depicting her effort to defend and manage her household.

Margaret’s Strength and Legacy

To sum up, Margaret was a strong woman due to her ability to manage a huge estate since her husband was away. She played the role of the wife and protected family businesses to ensure their growth. Margaret can be considered as one of the strongest women in the Middle Ages for her ability to manage their family and property single-handedly.

Works Cited

Gastle, Brian W. “Breaking the Stained Glass Ceiling: Mercantile Authority, Margaret Paston, and Margery Kempe.” Studies in the Literary Imagination, no. 36(1), 2003, pp. 123-147.

Hainsworth, David R. Stewards, Lords, and People. Cambridge UP, 1992.