The Subdivision About British Women's Status From The 16^th To 17^th Century

During the 16th and 17th century, Britain was in a turbulent period of social transformation; all aspects like political, economic, and social life had changed greatly. As the participant of community, women were affected by the changes deeply. Women's status under the patriarchal society was the most prominent and the most representative characteristics in this time. In the traditional ideas and the code of conduct, women could only act the second role as the submissive and be dominated by men. But in fact, women could show value of their own unique and independent spirit. In political terms, Queen Elizabeth I, as the outstanding representatives of women during this period, used her own ways and wisdom to remove obstacles to successfully ascend the throne, established the position of the Queen. The women in the middle and the lower classes used some ways like selling their bodies to help their husbands'promotion, petitions and violent protests to participate in the political activities indirectly and direct. In economic terms, the women in the middle and the lower classes not only needed to take good care of family's internal affairs, but also should to sell the goods, theft, prostitution and so on. Sometimes they should be supported by their friends. In marriage and family terms, when the women faced injustice in the family life, they would use the gossip networks of community to spread the shortcomings of men and get the support of public opinion. They also could use the methods of quarrel with their husbands, separation, escape, or even murder to against men and bailed out the plight. From these cases, we can see that in the 16th and 17th century, the women's status not as the inertia of our thinking based on previous conclusions as humble, completely subservient to male dominate. They have no status at all. Through their own efforts and the tireless fight, women made their own contribution in the terms of politic and economy, gained a place in the marriage and the family life, won the others respect at a certain extent.