Audacious and uppity: women of the Middle Ages and Renaissance

Soaring interest in everything medieval has spurred the Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies to launch a series for the public featuring fearless females: those audacious, outspoken, uppity women of the Middle Ages.

World-renowned scholar Marcus Cruse will lead the program discussing Christine de Pizan, long-recognized as one of the first published women writers and creator of one of the world's most beautiful illuminated manuscripts.

Following a lively presentation about bold and influential women, audience members are welcomed to ask questions and discuss the lives of women during this period in history with Cruse, who is an associate professor in ASU's School of International Letters and Culture in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Discussions are informal and geared to audience members who enjoy "The Tudors," "The Borgias" or historical fiction.

The event is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m., March 28, in the Heritage Room of the University Club, on the Tempe campus. Free and open to the public, but space is limited. RSVP to acmrs@acmrs.org to reserve a seat.