Hedwig of Silesia Noblewomen in medieval Europe played a wide variety of roles. Hedwig of Silesia conducted diplomatic negotiations, ruled her husband’s territory when he was away, founded monasteries, and worked to expand Christianity in eastern Europe. (The John Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, Ms Ludwig XI, fol. 12v [detail], Court Atelier of Duke Ludwig I of Liegnitz and Brieg [illuminator], Vita beatae Hedwigis, 1353. Tempera colors, colored washes and ink bound between wood boards covered with red-