The Tree of Europe · Person

Christine de Pizan

A writer born in Venice and educated at the French court. She composed poetry and political and moral treatises, defending women’s intellectual abilities and dignity in The Book of the City of Ladies, written in 1405.

c. 1364 – c. 1431Writer / Poet

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Biography

Life of Christine de Pizan

Writing for the court

Born in Venice around 1364, Christine grew up in France, where her father worked for Charles V. After being widowed, she developed a career as a writer, producing works for courtly patrons. She supervised the preparation of presentation manuscripts and wrote poetry, moral reflections and texts on government and warfare.

References: IRHT · Christine de Pizan · Johns Hopkins / Waterloo / BnF · Christine de Pizan Digital Scriptorium

The Book of the City of Ladies

In 1405 she composed The Book of the City of Ladies, gathering examples of women to answer writings that denigrated their abilities. She also participated in debates over the Roman de la Rose. Her last dated work celebrates Joan of Arc in 1429. Her death date is approximate; the IRHT places it around 1431.

References: IRHT · Christine de Pizan · Johns Hopkins / Waterloo / BnF · Christine de Pizan Digital Scriptorium

This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.

Historical profile

Key details

Birth: 1364 Approximate

Death: 1431 Approximate

Role: Writer / Poet

Other recorded names: Christine de Pizan · Christine de Pisan · Cristina de Pizan

Territories: France (ES) · Venice (ES)

Family network

Recorded relationships

No direct relationships are recorded for this person.

Documentation

Sources for this profile

Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.

Evidence for this profile

2 recorded claims · 2 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (0/2 with a precise source)

BirthApproximate
1364
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·
DeathApproximate
1431
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·

Biographical and contextual references (2)

Editorial history

2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.