ABSTRACT
Female guardians were a diverse group, but they shared some important characteristics. Most of them took on their tasks with the full approval of their husbands and the willing support of other male family members. They were often well educated with extensive practical experience in running noble estates and managing property. Motherhood was an important role for them, and they spent much of their time raising their children to take their appropriate places in the adult world by arranging their educations, careers, and marriages. In addition, many female guardians were skilled, self-confident, and assertive enough to use the legal system to their own and their children’s advantage.
