The final speaker for session 1.2 is Chris Higgins @BirkbeckHCA speaking on women’s mobility! #OnBelonging
Counter to contemporary condemnations of women travellers & works of later historians, CH argues that international travel far more extensive than previously assumed. #OnBelonging
Argues that licenses to travel beyond the seas give only part of story. Women especially adept at avoiding protocols, using fake documents, disguises, etc. #OnBelonging
CH has compiled a comprehensive database of 2,501 women travellers from the period drawing from range of records. A few trends… #OnBelonging
Travelled when younger/fitter, with average age <27; repeat journeys uncommon; destination usually driven by personal conscience. #OnBelonging
Database allows analysis of travel amongst women of different statuses as well. Surprisingly, only 2% upper nobility, whilst 90% untitled! #OnBelonging
As Alethea Talbot’s travels suggest, objectives of travel were multifaceted – health trip, sightseeing tour, educational improvement, pilgrimage, diplomacy… #OnBelonging
Categories of travel emerge: 1) personal; 2) diplomatic & govt; 3) health; 4) religion; 5) Military; 6) Commerce/professional. #OnBelonging
Aggregating evidence shows a complex picture of women’s mobility during the period. CH concludes by noting that old assumptions are false – women travelled extensively and in greater numbers that previously assumed. #OnBelonging
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