Noted Historian Examines Expanded Role of Women in Medieval Church in Inaugural Chaney Lectureship

APPLETON, WIS. -- Renowned medieval historian Giles Constable discusses the more prominent role women began playing in the activities of the Catholic Church in the late 1100s, including the administration of the sacraments and preaching responsibilities in an address at Lawrence University.

Constable, widely acknowledged as the nation's most distinguished scholar of 12-century spirituality, presents "Women and Religious Life in the Twelfth Century" Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Wriston Art Center auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a member of the British Academy, Constable is a professor in the School of Historical Studies at the prestigious Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, N.J. A graduate of Harvard University, where he earned his bachelor and doctorate degrees, Constable is a former president of the Medieval Academy of America and the author of 18 books on religious culture and spirituality in medieval Europe.

Constable's address is the inaugural lecture in the William Chaney Lectureship. Established in honor of Lawrence's longest-serving faculty member at the time of his retirement and resident specialist on medieval history, the Chaney lectureship brings distinguished speakers in the humanities to the campus.