The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women

A polemical treatise written in the mid-16th century. This work articulates Knox's vehement opposition to female rule, positing that it is not only unnatural but also a divine abomination. Knox embarks on a theological and philosophical argument to assert that authority over men should fundamentally lie with men alone, invoking religious texts and reasoning to bolster his assertions. The opening of the text presents Knox's critical perspective on the political climate of his time, where he sees a significant threat posed by women in power, particularly in the context of Protestant struggles against Catholic monarchs. He laments the silence of other religious leaders and insists that the rule of women is a root cause of national suffering and divine displeasure. Knox aims to awaken his contemporaries to what he perceives as a monstrous deviation from the natural order, drawing on scripture and historical examples to argue against the legitimacy of female governance. Through assertive proclamations, he sets the stage for a discourse that interrogates the implications of women holding political authority.