The Violent Abuse of Women in 17th and 18th Century Britain : Pen & Sword History : 9781526751621 : 1526751623 : 07 Oct 2019 : Although the worlds of science and philosophy took giant strides away from the medieval view of the world, attitudes to women did not change from those that had pertained for centuries. Girls were largely barred from education ? only around 14% of women could read and write by 1700 - and the few educated women were not permitted to enter the professions.The social turbulence of the first half of the seventeenth century afforded women new opportunities and new religious freedoms and women were attracted into the many new sects where they were afforded a voice in preaching and teaching.This reaction often found expression in the violent and brutal treatment of women who were seen to have stepped out of line, whether legally, socially or domestically. Often beaten and abused at home by husbands exercising their legal right, they were whipped, branded, exiled and b