In 1405, Christine completed 'Le livre de la cité des dames,' a landmark defense of women often cited as one of Europe's earliest histories of women.
In 1405, Christine de Pizan completed Le livre de la cité des dames (The Book of the City of Ladies), widely regarded as her masterpiece and one of the most important works of medieval literature by a woman.
The work is an allegorical treatise in which three virtues—Reason, Rectitude, and Justice—appear to Christine and help her construct a symbolic city populated and defended by virtuous, accomplished women drawn from history, myth, and Christian tradition. It systematically refutes the misogynistic claims of contemporary and classical authors, presenting instead a compendium of women's achievements in leadership, science, the arts, and morality.
The book is frequently cited by historians as one of the earliest known histories of women written in Europe, and a foundational text in the tradition of proto-feminist thought. It directly responded to works like Boccaccio's De Claris Mulieribus and the misogynist strands of the Roman de la Rose, transforming their material into a celebratory rather than derogatory narrative.
Its influence persisted for centuries and it was rediscovered by modern feminist scholars in the 20th century as a touchstone text, inspiring reinterpretations such as Judy Chicago's inclusion of Christine in The Dinner Party installation. The book remains a cornerstone of women's literary and intellectual history.