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Interpretations B and C both focus on the position of women in Anglo-Saxon society - OCR Gateway - GCSE History - Question 7 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 7
Interpretations B and C both focus on the position of women in Anglo-Saxon society. How far do they differ and what might explain any differences? Interpretation B ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Interpretations B and C both focus on the position of women in Anglo-Saxon society - OCR Gateway - GCSE History - Question 7 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
How far do they differ?
Answer
The interpretations offer contrasting views on the position of women before and after the Norman Conquest. Interpretation B suggests that women in Anglo-Saxon society enjoyed more legal rights and freedoms. For instance, the ability to own property and have custody of children is highlighted, along with a general sense of autonomy and involvement in societal matters. On the contrary, Interpretation C discusses the significant decline in women's status post-Conquest, indicating that legal rights were stripped away, leading to a more subservient role in society. This difference highlights the pivotal change that occurred in gender dynamics due to the Norman invasion.
Step 2
What might explain any differences?
Answer
The differing perspectives can be explained by the nature of the evidence and the contexts in which both authors wrote. Randolph's interpretation may be influenced by her aim to portray women positively, reflecting their historical rights and roles that existed prior to the Norman Conquest, presumably based on historical texts and research. Morris, however, offers a more historical analysis that emphasizes the drastic changes following 1066, focusing on the socio-political impacts of the Norman conquest on women’s rights. The discrepancies may also arise from different scholarly approaches; Morris takes a more empirical approach, whereas Randolph employs a narrative style in her reflections on historical fiction.