The Benefits and Drawbacks of Femme Sole Status in England, 1300–1630

Unlike most married women in England during the late medieval and early modern periods, femme sole traders had an independent economic and legal status. Whereas the common law normally defined wives as an appendage of their husbands, lacking a separate identity, femmes soles were allowed to conduct their business dealings by themselves. However, McIntosh argues that femme sole status could make women vulnerable. As a matter of fact, so many working wives did not claim it.