ABSTRACT
At marriage the woman passed from the authority of her father to that of her husband and her identity was henceforth associated with her marital rather than her natal family. Medieval views on patriarchy took it for granted that the husband was the head of the household, responsible for its well-being, carrying out public duties and controlling its members. Recent research has brought out the complexity of household structures in the later Middle Ages, and in several regions nuclear and extended families are found alongside each other. The main reason for marriage, as expressed by both the Church and lay society, was the procreation of children. Every woman was provided at marriage with her future support as widow. In southern Europe, the woman's dowry was returned to her at the death of her husband. The dilemma for widows can be seen particularly clearly at Florence. Widowhood, like marriage, was subject to family strategies, and dominated by financial and property considerations.
