Christine de Pizan part 1: Early Life and Beginnings as a Writer

Christine de Pizan, a pioneering female writer at the French court, challenged the male-dominated arts of her time. Born in Venice in 1364, she moved to Paris, where her education was encouraged by her father. Married at 15, she faced financial struggles after her husband's death but turned to writing love ballads, gaining patronage from nobility. Her work, shaped by personal grief and public demand, led to literary success and a tradition of defending women through her writing.

What type of writing did Christine begin to focus on after her husband's death?

Who were some of the wealthy patrons that supported Christine's writing?

What was the impact of Christine's writing on her life and the lives of women?