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By studying the fifteenth and early sixteenth-century records of several Scottish towns, this paper examines the roles of women in the town courts of mediaeval Scotland. It argues that, although women faced certain legal disadvantages, they were able to make use of the courts to advance their own interests. An examination of the actions of these women shows that the legal restrictions were often flouted in practice, with women arguing their own cases and even occasionally acting as procurators for others. This case study points out the necessity of examining the practical application of the law as well as legal codes and treatises before reaching conclusions about women s status. By showing the active part which women took in the legal life of the town, it also suggests that Scottish urban history needs to take into account women's experiences in reconstructing the life of mediaeval towns.Cet article utilise les archives judiciaires de plusieurs villes écossaises du XVe siècle et du début du XVIe siècle pour tenter de cerner le rôle des femmes dans les cours de l'Ecosse médiévales. Malgré les barrières légales qu'elles y rencontraient, les femmes furent capables d'utiliser ces cours à leur avantage. Souvent, faisant fi des restrictions légales, des cours autorisèrent des femmes à défendre leur propre cas et, à l'occasion, à agir comme procureur pour d'autres. Cette étude de cas signale combien il est important d'aller voir la façon dont lois, codes et traités furent appliqués dans les faits avant de risquer des généralisations sur le statut des femmes. En soulignant le rôle actif qu' elles jouèrent dans la vie judiciaire de la ville, elle invite les historiens de l'Ecosse urbaine à considérer davantage les expériences des femmes dans leurs travaux de reconstruction de la vie au moyen âge

Scottish Portias: Women in the Courts in Mediaeval Scottish Towns