In the late 18th century, antiquarian Thomas Amyot summed up the spirit of the age by claiming that women were:

‘formed for the lighter duties of Life,’ because of the ‘delicacy of their Frames, the Sensibility of their Dispositions, and, above all the Caprice of their Tempers.’ He proclaimed: ‘A virtuous wife and an affectionate Mother are perhaps the most amiable Characters in the Universe. To these Characters let every female aspire and let us hear no more of the Rights of Woman.’

A voice of reason within a growing insanity. A lost voice that comes to me these three hundred years distance, and it rings true to mine ears like it rang true to his mind. I hear you, brother.