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Men and women in early modern England lived their lives within a social and gender framework inherited from biblical times. Patriarchy - the social and cultural dominance of the male - has long been a fundamental feature of western civilization, yet has only recently begun to be systematically investigated by historians. Fletcher's account draws from a vast range of sources to investigate the mechanisms through which men and women interpreted and understood their social worlds. He explores the early modern view of the body, of sexual desire and appetites, and of gender difference. He looks at the nature of marital relationships, and shows how subordination was implemented and consolidated through church, school, home and community. He also exposes patriarchy's tragic consequences: smothered opportunity, crushed sexuality, and a pall across many women's lives. Yet, over these three centuries, the conventional foundations of male superiority came under acute pressure. Fletcher reveals the depth of male anxiety in the face of women's volatility, verbal assertiveness and alleged vibrant sexuality, and shows how the gender system began to be transformed as men sought to detach it from its biblical foundations and inculcate gender identities on something like their modern ideological basis. This revolution in the entire premise upon which gender was grounded is fundamental to an understanding of the structure of English society today.

Sexuology. --- United kingdom. --- History of the United Kingdom and Ireland --- anno 1500-1799 --- History of medicine --- Renaissance --- Sex role --- England --- History --- Patriarchy --- 16th century --- 17th century --- Social conditions --- Sex role - England - History. --- Patriarchy - England - History - 16th century. --- Patriarchy - England - History - 17th century. --- England - Social condtitions - History. --- Sex role in literature --- Androcracy --- Patriarchal families --- Fathers --- Families --- Male domination (Social structure) --- Patrilineal kinship --- Gender role --- Sex (Psychology) --- Sex differences (Psychology) --- Social role --- Gender expression --- Sexism --- Social conditions. --- Gender roles --- Gendered role --- Gendered roles --- Role, Gender --- Role, Gendered --- Role, Sex --- Roles, Gender --- Roles, Gendered --- Roles, Sex --- Sex roles