From the mid-12th century onwards, laws in various parts of Europe began to restrict women’s ability to acquire and manage wealth, leading to a significant decline in their future economic prospects. This trend continued into the early modern period, perpetuating gender inequalities in terms of financial autonomy, and the roots of this phenomenon remain unclear, despite its profound impact on European society. Against this backdrop, the PatriFem project, funded by the ERC, is unravelling this historical mystery. Focusing on France, certain German-speaking regions and Italy, the researchers are analysing legal traditions, socio-economic contexts and political frameworks. By collecting and managing extensive data from various archives, including statutes and private sources such as notarial registers, the project seeks to understand the reasons why these laws came into being and how they varied at a regional level.