Exhibit opens on the role of women in the Civil War

The Cromwell Museum in Huntingdon wants to challenge preconceptions.

Seventeenth century England was a deeply religious and male dominated society, and many would have agreed with the biblical phrase "the weaker vessel" defining women as being inferior to men.

The role of women has been limited to that of aristocratic ladies defending their husbands’ estates, or women camp-followers with armies.

Whilst it is true that these roles did exist, and that women lacked the rights and equality that we aspire to today, they played a key part in the events of the 1640s.

Cromwell Museum Curator, Stuart Orme, spoke to Star Radio:

The upheavals of Civil War, Revolution and a Republic provided opportunities for women to act as spies, pamphleteers, preachers and even soldiers.

This new exhibit looks at the experience of women through this period when the ‘world was turned upside down’, including members of the Cromwell family.

Kristina Kapitza, from the Cromwell Museum, says she hopes the exhibit will make people think differently:

"The Weaker Vessel?" runs from 6 December 2023 to 7 April 2024 at the Cromwell Museum in Huntingdon.