The dowry which women received at the time of marriage was invested in the business of their husbands, but they did not have the right to interfere in business affairs or have their say in any such matters. Very often marriage alliances were used to strengthen, businesses. It was usual for parents to send their daughters to convents to become nuns if they could not nd the dowry necessary for their marriage. The role of women in public life was very limited. The society looked at them as keepers of the house, housewives.
