Defences of Women: Jane Anger, Rachel Speght, Ester Sowernam and Constantia Munda

Printed Writings 1500-1640: Series 1, Part One, Volume 4

Jane Anger her Protection for Women A Mouzell for Melastomus Ester hath hang’d Haman The Worming of a mad Dogge Of the many tracts in defence of women published in early modern England only these four bear women’s names. All four were written in response to misogynist attacks. Of these writers, only Speght (1597-c.1630) is historically identifiable. Two or possibly three of the others use pseudonyms and indeed their gender has not yet been definitely established.