Christine de Pizan | |
---|---|
Born | September 1364 |
Died | c. 1430 | (aged 65–66)
Occupation | Writer |
Spouse |
Etienne du Castel
(m. 1379; died 1389) |
Children | 3 |
Parent | Tommaso di Benvenuto da Pizzano |
Christine de Pizan or Pisan (French: [kʁistin də pizɑ̃] , Middle French: [krisˈtinə də piˈzã]; born Cristina da Pizzano; September 1364 – c. 1430), was an Italian-born French court writer for King Charles VI of France and several French royal dukes, in both prose and poetry.
Christine de Pizan served as a court writer in medieval France after the death of her husband. Christine's patrons included dukes Louis I of Orleans, Philip the Bold of Burgundy, and his son John the Fearless. Considered to be some of the earliest feminist writings, her work includes novels, poetry, and biography, and she also penned literary, historical, philosophical, political, and religious reviews and analyses.[1][2][3] Her best known works are The Book of the City of Ladies and The Treasure of the City of Ladies, both prose works written when she worked for John the Fearless of Burgundy. Her books of advice to princesses, princes, and knights remained in print until the 16th century.