Inside the limited and restricted framework of the Ancien Régime society, women had a characteristic situation of inferiority regarding the male. Nonetheless, historic documentation offers several cases of women that defied the strong social boundaries, above all those who belonged to the nobility. We present here two verified cases, represented by widow countesses, who belonged to noble
... [Show full abstract] valencian families and who created strategies and actions focusing on pursuing their personal and familiar interests.They are doña Aldonsa Crespí de Valldaura, countess of Cirat, and doña Leonor de Paz del Río, countess of Villafranqueza. In their actions, it can be seen the impulse to protect their most helpless offspring.