Women, Clergy, and Confession in Marguerite De Navarre's Heptaméron

Abstract:Marguerite de Navarre's views on the religious upheaval of her time remain uncertain. Nonetheless, careful examination of the portrayal of the Catholic sacrament of Confession in her Heptaméron reveals her support for a more active role for women and a diminution of the importance of the clergy in this important sacrament. This analysis of Marguerite's connection to reformers and of the confession stories from her work show her continuing inquiry into the necessity of the clergy as well as her advocacy for a deeper involvement of women in religious matters.