Women’s Roles and Activities
These are for respectable or aristocratic women. Otherwise, the “Oldest Profession” is aptly named and has always shaded into the wider entertainment industry: musicians, singers, dancers, acrobats, and actresses, all of which are always welcome!
Established and traditional activities:
(OK, most may seem obvious, but there may be more possibilities than could immediately apparent.)
Court ceremonies (both mixed and for women only);
Cookery;
Textile and related crafts -
spinning, weaving fabric, braids or tapestry,
embroidery, sprang, netting, felting, carpet
knotting, basketry;
Dancing (social, and “bellydancing” );
Religious (i.e. Nun, Hymnographer);
Unusual but documented activities:
Empress (ruling in her own right, as well
as consort);
Archery;
Perfume-making (+ herbalism);
Calligraphy (+ illumination);
Martial (usually masquerading as a man, but
in certain special circumstances, as a woman).
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