The political advise that De Pizan offers in her text to women of means, and women who have access to power, was perhaps the most interesting aspect of her for me. In "How the good and wise princess will make every effort to restore peace between the prince and the barons if there is any discord" Pizan reminds the ladies that war is ugly and terrible, and that women often get the shortest end of the war stick. Therefore she advises the ladies on how to appeal to everyone present, and use her skills with words and persuasion to slow down the massacre. For example,
"She will reproach them sharply, saying that the misdeed was very serious and that the prince is quite justifiably offended by it and that he has decided to avenge himself for it, as is only right, but nevertheless she, who would always wish the blessing of peace, in the event that they would wish to atone for it or to make suitable amends, would gladly go o come trouble to try if she could by some means to make peace between them and her husband. With such words or similar ones, the good princess will always be the means of peace as far as she can be..."
While De Pizan does not seem to create a direct rhetorical primer (here is how you make a speech for peace) she is instead creating a primer of influence. How to you maintain the ability to influence your prince? How do you maintain the support of the people (there is a section in which she instructs the lady to give alms every morning)? How do you retain your sanity and pay attention and sound smart in council? Who should you avoid? All this was an insiders guide to how not to get shot down in court; a discourse community analysis and text that allowed women to have some degree of power.
Cool.