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Anne Booth | 3 September 2025
◇ Medieval History | Historical Parallels | Women in STEM
What do a medieval mistress-turned-duchess, and a castle-defending noblewoman have to do with women in STEM today? More than you might think.
Just as women stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic, medieval women often rose to positions of authority during times of instability or when traditional power structures were weakened. Katherine Swynford and Nicola de la Haye lived in eras of crisis and transformation, seizing opportunities in a world that often sought to side-line them. Their experiences reflect a cycle seen throughout history: when upheaval disrupts the status quo, women step into roles previously denied to them - only to be often pushed back when stability returns.
A clear example of this pattern emerged after the Black Death in the 14th-century. With up to half the population wiped out, labour shortages meant better wages. Some women took on a greater range of work, also moving into urban areas. But this shift in economic power was not permanent. As population levels recovered in the 1500s, women were pushed out of many roles and confined once more to the domestic sphere. A similar phenomenon occurred after the First World War, when women filled industrial and technical roles in the absence of men, only to be dismissed when soldiers returned home. The pattern of women stepping up in times of crisis, followed by challenges to their authority, is a recurring theme.
Today, we see echoes of this cycle in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Women played a vital role in essential industries, particularly in healthcare and education. Women involved in the development and application of medical imaging technologies were essential in diagnosing and monitoring COVID-19 cases.
Equally, expertise in computational physics contributed to modelling the spread of the virus and predicting its impact. The work of Dr Katalin Karikó is a very strong example. While she is known for her work in mRNA technology, her work has biophysical elements; her research into mRNA technology involved understanding the physical properties of RNA and its interactions with biological systems, providing a clear example of physics-related science that had a huge impact on the pandemic.
Yet the crisis also placed a disproportionate burden on other women. There is evidence that women scientists, especially those with young children, experienced a decline in publication rates compared to their male counterparts. This can negatively impact career progression, as publications are a key metric for academic success. There was also a concern that fewer funding opportunities were being obtained by women, with many leaving the STEM workforce due to caregiving responsibilities. I think now we must ask: will the current push for women in STEM lead to lasting change, or will history repeat itself?
The struggle for women’s place in STEM mirrors the historical battle for recognition and opportunity. Nicola de la Haye, a formidable 13th-century noblewoman and constable of Lincoln Castle, was one of the few women to hold such a position in medieval England. At a time when women were rarely entrusted with military command, she proved her worth by defending Lincoln Castle during the First Barons’ War in 1217, successfully holding off a siege by forces loyal to Prince Louis of France. Despite repeated attempts to replace her with a male commander, Nicola refused to yield, demonstrating extraordinary resilience and leadership in an era that largely denied women formal power. Today, she stands as a powerful example of perseverance in the face of institutional barriers.
Katherine Swynford wielded influence through intellect and strategy, securing her family’s legacy in a world that often reduced women to pawns in dynastic politics. However, despite her eventual marriage to John of Gaunt, she was never fully accepted by the English court. Her earlier status as his mistress left a lasting stain on her reputation, and while their children were legitimised, they were barred from inheriting the throne.
Following John's death in 1399, Katherine withdrew from court life, fading into the background as political factions moved on without her, highlighting how even powerful women could be side-lined when stability returned. Her marriage to John of Gaunt not only legitimised their children but laid the foundation for the Tudor dynasty, shaping the course of English royal history. Both Nicola and Katherine navigated systems designed to exclude them and found ways to succeed.
Today, the challenge is not medieval siege warfare but breaking through cultural and systemic barriers in STEM fields. Women remain underrepresented in engineering, physics, and computer science, despite evidence that diverse teams drive innovation. Just as de la Haye and Swynford found ways to exert influence in restrictive societies, modern women in STEM must challenge outdated assumptions and claim their place. The question is whether the relatively recent “moment of disruption” will be capitalised upon to create lasting inclusion, or whether, as in previous centuries, the tide will turn once more.
In essence, these historical parallels demonstrate that the struggle for women to gain and maintain prominence is a long-standing one, shaped by societal norms and power structures that continue to evolve. History teaches us that progress is not inevitable; it must be actively maintained. If we want to see more women in STEM, we must ensure that today’s openings do not become tomorrow’s lost opportunities. That means supporting female students and professionals, challenging biases, and creating environments where women can thrive. The past has shown us what happens when we fail to do so. The future is still ours to shape.
Anne Booth was a Student Employability Manager at the University of Sheffield till August 2025, a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and the author of Women in Victorian Society (Amberley Publishing, 2024). She will join the School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities as a PhD. scholar from October 2025
References
Amin, N., The House of Beaufort (Amberley Publishing, 2018)
Bennett Connolly, S., King John’s Right Hand Lady (Pen and Sword, 2023)
Weir, A., Katherine Swynford: The Story of John of Gaunt and His Scandalous Duchess (Random House, 2011)
Wilkinson, L., Women in Thirteenth-Century Lincolnshire (Boydell & Brewer, 2015)
COVID’s Surprising Toll on Careers of Women Scientists, Harvard Business School 2020
COVID-19 and gender inequity in science: Consistent harm over time, DOI Foundation, 2022
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