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Early Books Lecture Series XXI: Christine de Pizan’s Othea

Image
Dr Classen holding the book Christine de Pizan’s Othea

Photos by Aengus Anderson

When

5 – 7 p.m., April 8, 2026

Christine de Pizan’s Othea: A Woman Advises the King

Speaker: Albrecht Classen, University Distinguished Professor, German Studies, College of Humanities

Join us for the second talk of the Early Books Lecture Series XXI

Contrary to our modern stereotypes about medieval women, many noble ladies enjoyed great respect and exerted much authority. Fifteenth-century Christine de Pizan can be identified as one of the first feminists who strongly argued in favor of women, and in that process she turned into a major poet and author. As her treatise Othea indicates, she even had the king’s ear and was acknowledged enough to be accepted as a major advisor in political, ethical, and even military terms.

The Early Books Lecture Series was established at the University of Arizona by Dr. Albrecht Classen, University Distinguished Professor of German Studies, in partnership with University Libraries Special Collections. For more than 20 years, University of Arizona scholars and Special Collections have invited the community to explore rare books that are held by Special Collections, provide primary resource materials for research, and are available for students, faculty, staff, and visitors to access and use.

Details
Additional lectures

Early Books Lecture Series XXI: The Secrets of Medieval Manuscripts Panel Discussion, April 1

Early Books Lecture Series XXI: How Shakespeare Transformed the Play 'Hamlet,' April 15

Contacts

Maggie Dwenger, Special Collections