Quotes by 15th-century Women

Joan of Arc

Catherine of Aragon

Elizabeth Woodville

Catherine of Genoa

Laura Cereta

Doctors! You know yourself, without the help of any doctors that your case has no foundation! I care not a straw for your Doctors! For every Doctor and Lawyer that upholds your case I could find a thousand that would find our marriage good and valid!

Catherine of Aragon

The one sole thing in myself in which I glory is that I see in myself nothing in which I can glory.

Catherine of Genoa

Courage! Do not fall back; in a little the place will be yours. Watch! When the wind blows my banner against the bulwark, you shall take it.

To her future husband Edward IV:

My liege, I know I am not good enough to be your queen, but I am far too good to become your mistress.

Elizabeth Woodville

Each person should display her own particular gifts for study. For no one is safe who strives beyond her abilities; and thus it is safer to trust in reason than in men's opinions.

Each night the sky splits open like a melon its starry filaments the astronomer examines with great intensity.