This work investigates the social, economic, and legal status of women across various strata of medieval European society. Shulamith Shahar, a noted historian, utilizes a wide array of primary sources including legal codes, literary texts, and administrative records to construct a comprehensive analysis of the female experience. The text argues that while women were largely excluded from the formal 'estates' of the clergy, nobility, and peasantry, they occupied a distinct and vital position that functioned as a 'fourth estate' within the medieval structure.

Scholars frequently cite this book as a foundational text for understanding the nuances of gender roles in the medieval period. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which provides a rigorous and detailed examination of social history.