How do medieval literary traditions construct and manipulate the figure of the black woman through the lens of the Queen of Sheba? Jacqueline de Weever examines the intersection of race, gender, and theology in medieval texts, arguing that the figure of the Queen of Sheba serves as a complex signifier for both exoticism and spiritual authority. By analyzing a wide range of primary sources, the author demonstrates how medieval authors navigated the tension between the perceived 'otherness' of the black female body and the established biblical narrative of the Queen of Sheba.

Scholars frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the racialized construction of femininity in medieval literature. The text is noted for its rigorous academic approach and its significant contribution to the field of medieval race studies.