Nuns, Wives, and Mothers: Women and the Reformation in Germany

Before the Protestant Reformation there were major restrictions to the social and political status of women. However, the Reformation caused a large change. Women were actually allowed to read the bible (before it had been banned by Henry VII in England) and even study it. They began preaching, it was especially, however, encouraged by the Catholic Church. They felt that women preaching in the home could convert the husbands back to their faith. …