Conclusion

The conclusion considers how interactions of the women of Languedoc with the consistory influenced gender and patriarchy. It recaps the consistory’s goals, and the unintended provision of a mechanism for women to wield against men and other women. It charts women’s active engagement with faith and how the consistory’s pursuit of morality promoted a voyeuristic culture. It notes how women policed sexual behaviour and were active in bringing matters under scrutiny. It considers why the registers expose this as other sources have not: women initiated cases, there was no charge, punishments were light, and church was voluntary. It recaps evidence of women’s invective and violence, and affective reasons for marriage and for seeking release from them. It notes the prevalence of sex outside marriage and considers instances of unprosecuted sexual assault, and marital conflict. It concludes with findings about women’s power and agency, and how women challenged and upheld patriarchy.