our interest
does not so greatly lie in its origin, as in the fact that after the
conversion of the Franks to Christianity the law was revised, and all
parts deemed inconsistent with this religion were revoked. The
restrictions upon woman were retained.

Woman's wrongs under the Reformation, we discover by glancing at
different periods. The Cromwellian era exhibited an increase of piety.
Puritanism here had its birth, but brought no element of toleration to
woman. Lydia Maria Child, in her "History of Woman," says:

Under the Commonwealth society assumed a new and stern aspect.
Women were in disgrace; it was everywhere reiterated from the
pulpit that woman caused man's expulsion from Paradise, and ought
to be shunned by Christians as one of the greatest temptations of
Satan. "Man," said they, "is conceived in sin and brought forth
in iniquity; it was his complacency to woman that caused his
first debasement; let him not, therefore, glory in his shame; let
him not worship the fountain of his corruption." Learning and
accomplishments were alike discouraged; and women confined to a
knowledge of cooking, family medicines, and the unintelligible
theological discussions of the day.

A writer about this period, said: "She that knoweth how to compound a
pudding is more desirable than she who skillfully compoundeth a poem."

At the time of the Reformation, Luther at first continued celibate,
but thinking "to vex the Pope," he suddenly, at the age of forty-two,
gave his influence against celibacy by marriage with Catherine Von
Bora, a former nun. But although thus becoming an example of priestly
marriage under the new order of things, Luther's whole course shows
that he did not believe in woman's equality with man. He took with him
the old theory of her subordination. It was his maxim that "no gown or
garment worse becomes a woman than that she will be wise." Although
opposing monastic life, the home under the reformation was governed by
many of its rules for woman.

_First_. She was to be under obedience to the masculine head of the
household.

_Second_. She was to be constantly employed for his benefit.

_Third_. Her society was strictly chosen for her by her master and
head.

_Fourth_. This masculine family head was a general father confessor,
to whom she was held responsible in thought and deed.

_Fifth_. Neither genius nor talent could free woman from such co