The acta of the
XIXth European Forum of Young Legal Historians
(Ghent University, Legal History Institute/Université Lille 2, Centre
d'Histoire Judiciaire) have appeared (CHJ Éditeur). Eighteen papers
address various papers presented at the conference back in 2013. Among them, an article (pp. 277-292) by your humble servant on
Elisabeth Farnese, second spouse of Philip V of Spain.
Book abstract:
From
May 15 to May 18, 2013 the French Centre d’Histoire Judiciaire
(Université Lille 2) and the Belgian Instituut voor Rechtsgeschiedenis
(Ghent University) organised the nineteenth European Forum of Young
Legal Historians. During three days, more than sixty young researchers
from all over Europe and beyond gathered around the theme (Wo)Men in
legal history, a subject allowing them to think about women and men in
legal history from various scientific angles. The gender concept has
become essential in human and social sciences, providing another way of
analysing and interpreting society. Masculinity and femininity can thus
be seen as a social construction based on biological sex.
Two
main questions needed an answer: can law, from an evolutionary and
dynamic point of view, be seen as a way of reducing differences between
men and women? What is the role and place of both genders in legislation
and legislative bodies, in justice administration and judicial bodies,
as well as in legal science and education, both as subjects and objects?
The
aim of this book is not to take part in any militant ideology but to
consider dispassionately the various scientific ways of the construction of
femininity and masculinity. The importance for legal historians is
obvious: to think about law as an instrument of subordination and/or way
of social change, which can enrich studies about the juridical evolution
of societies. Legal rules can be important tools of social engineering
in a very explicit way, but, also implicitly every legal system mirrors
the cultural role of gender. This book answers the call issued by
historians to rethink the dominant narratives of law producing and
reflecting cultural and social norms. It challenges legal historians and
other scholars to use a gendered approach to law.
More information on the
ESCLH blog.