The medieval period is commonly perceived as particularly misogynistic, yet the culture of the time constructed a "case for women" that is little known today. This book sets out to demonstrate the existence of substantial pro-feminine traditions extending back from the Middle Ages to the fourth century. Blamires offers a readable discussion of what kind of "feminism" or otherwise these traditions amount to, and what they contribute to key writers such as Chaucer, Christine de Pizan, and Abélard.