Life in medieval Europe was governed by the pyramid-shaped feudal system. The operation of this system consisted of the lowest peasants at the base and the highest lords at the top. One of the advantages of the feudal system was that it was possible for anyone to move up the ladder. However, it was much more difficult for women. (Pyramid of Feudalism) Women's position in this pyramid was determined by the man in their life, whether a husband, father, or brother. Yet, regardless of their position, women were not seen in a positive light or valued. It takes a huge amount of imagination to think about what women in the English Middle Ages must have endured. Women of this era lived every day in the present, aware that their lives could be filled with fortune or disaster at any moment. The world they lived in consisted of a limited source of technology and poor communications. (Abee, 1) (Ward, 1) (Pattie, 1)Looking at the country as a whole, women had little to no role. However, in the cities, the jobs a woman could do were enough to help support her husband. Along with her daily work, a woman had many responsibilities towards her family. Women traditionally occupied a lower level than men, regardless of their position in the feudal system. Unlike today's working women, many women in the medieval period were expected to stay at home. Light escape was that granted to nobles who were occasionally taught how to defend themselves and their castles, thus affording them the smallest bit of freedom and power. This power could, however, turn against him. If women had what might be called “too much power,” they were considered threats and accused of being witches. (The role of women and the Queen...... middle of article......Hayden, Mary. "Women in the Middle Ages." The Irish Review. Vol. 3. Dublin: Irish Review , sd 344 -58. • “Women's literacy in the Middle Ages”. Untitled document, nd Web, January 17, 2014. • “Women and religion in the Middle Ages”. .• “The Middle Ages | The Middle Ages | Feudalism, January 20, 2014. .• “Women interpreting the Scriptures in the Middle Ages”. • “Women in History: Medieval Marriage and Childbirth” Women in History: Medieval Marriage and Childbirth, August 29, 2007. Web... 2014.