“Hai la fanciulla grande? Tu non hai maggiore tesoro di quello a guardare”. I doveri della madre in alcune prediche di Bernardino da Siena

Bernardino of Siena is regarded as one of the most important preachers of Medieval Italy. His sermons addressed strictly spiritual matters as well as other topics, and they offer valuable insights into social affairs and the daily lives of his contemporaries. This article explores the expectations placed on mothers by the Church and society at the time of Bernardino of Siena. Bernardino was a strong advocate of educating and preparing girls for their future role as wives, which suggests that many women neglected their duties and turned a blind eye on their daughters’ idleness and frivolous behavior that did not find favor with the strict preacher of Siena.