Unequal voices: emotions, agency and family hierarchies in the correspondence of the Hengrave siblings, 1567–71

2025/12/18 by Maria Cannon · 1 voice
Arts and Humanities · Economics, Econometrics and Finance · #Early Modern Women Writers #Historical Economic and Social Studies #History of Emotions Research

paper · doi:10.1093/hisres/htaf036

openalex publication_date 2025/12/18 · openalex created_date 2026/03/26 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23

Abstract

Abstract This article examines an exchange of letters to reveal how age, gender and social status shaped early modern family hierarchies. A tense episode began when Susan Bourchier left the house of her eldest half-brother, Thomas Kitson, despite being unmarried and dependent on him for financial support. Thomas’s resultant anger required careful negotiation between Susan, Thomas and their half-brother Henry. A close analysis of their language reveals the emotional practices used to negotiate family relationships, thus offering a unique insight on strategies available for young women to enact agency while navigating the divided patriarchal power of a blended family network.

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