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Archiver > GEN-MEDIEVAL > 1996-03 > 0825791904


From: Tom Camfield <>
Subject: Re: Medieval women ?
Date: Sat, 2 Mar 1996 21:38:24 +0300


> Michael Hilliard wrote:
>
> > Just how common was it for women to participate in battle?
> > Helping out during a seige I can see, but leading troops?

Can't find in my notes the account of the wife who was in command during
defense of the castle in her husband's absence. One of the old Scottish
lines, I am sure.

Meanwhile, other than Joan of Arc, the only woman warrior who immediately
comes to mind is Boadiciea, Queen of the Icenians, who led her army against
the Romans and those upon whom she looked as "Romanised" English natives
ca. A.D. 61--burning the towns and slaughtering the inhabitants of
Colchester, London, St. Albans...etc.

See Winston Churchill's "A History of the English Speaking Peoples" (Vol.
I, "The Birth of Britain,m" pp. 23-27)

Tom Camfield -

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