FReeper Canteen ~ Part VIII of Women Warriors:European Women Leaders ~ March 9, 2004

GenderGap.com ^ | March 9, 2004 | LaDivaLoca

[LaDivaLoca]

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Part VIII: European Women
Leaders and Defenders

Throughout the middle ages noble women vigorously, and often successfully, defended their own or their male relatives, lands and castles.

Around 890 AD Thyra, Queen of Denmark, ruled in her husband's absence. She led her army against the Germans who invaded Sleswick and Jutland and over a 3 year period built the Danneverke, a great wall which was Denmark's major defense for centuries and portions of which still exist.

In 945 Igor of Russia was killed by the Drevelians during a tax revolt. His wife, Olga, raised an army which attacked Drevelian strongholds forcing them to cease their revolt and pay taxes.

In 1075 Emma, Countess of Norfolk held Norwich Castle against repeated attack and siege. When it became evident that the castle could not be taken the Countess was offered safe conduct for herself, her troops and her possessions to join her husband who had fled to France. She accepted and relinquished the castle.

Urraca, Queen of Aragon became sole ruler of Leon-Castile in 1094 when her husband died. She married Alfonso of Aragon in 1098 and spent the remaining 13 years of her reign at war with him to protect the inheritance rights of her son by her first marriage. Both she and her half-sister Teresa who ruled in Portugal personally led their armies into battle.

In Italy, Alrude, Countess of Bertinoro, led an army to break the siege of Aucona in 1172. She forced the Imperial forces to abandon the siege and engaged in several battles on her return to her castle.

Nicola de la Haye, was the daughter of Baron de la Haye, hereditary castellan of Lincoln. She successfully defended the town against several rebel raids and in 1216 was made sheriff of Lincolnshire.

Jeanne of Navarre (1271-1304) ruler of Navarre, Brie and Champagne and wife of King Philip the Fair of France led her army against that of the Count de Bar when he attempted to rebel against her. Although Philip was entitled by marriage to claim rulership over Jeanne's lands he never did so.

In 1334 Lady Agnes Randolph, wife of Patrick, Earl of Dunbar and March, held the castle of Dunbar against the forces of the Earl of Salisbury for more than 5 months. (Click on picture for link to additional information)

During the wars of Brittany in the mid 1300's, several women defended their lands on the battlefield. One of the best known was Jane, Countess of Montfort, who personally led her troops in defeating Charles of Blois at Hennebonne. She later fought a sea battle off the coast of Guernsey. Charles' wife, Jeanne de Penthierre, took to the battlefield to free him after he was taken prisoner by the English. Jeanne de Belleville, whose husband Oliver III of Clisson was beheaded by Charles of Blois, led her troops in sacking several towns loyal to Charles. She later obtained 3 ships from Edward III of England which she used to sink French merchant and military vessels. She kept her two young children with her on her military campaigns until she eventually retired and remarried.

Phillippa of Hainault, queen of Edward III of England, was named regent while he fought the French. In 1346 she led an army of 12,000 soldiers against the invading Scots and captured David Bruce, their king.

Margaret of Denmark (1353-1411) became ruler of Denmark and nominal Queen of Norway on the death of her son Olaf II in 1387. Denmark, Norway and Sweden were at war and Margaret led her armies against key cities and fortresses, eventually forcing the Swedes and Norwegians to withdraw from Denmark. She was elected Queen of Norway in 1388. The following year she was offered the Swedish throne after she defeated the Swedish king and took him prisoner. She persuaded the Diets of the three countries to accept her grand-nephew, Eric of Pomerania, as heir to their thrones. In 1397 she forged the Calmar Union, uniting the three nations under a single monarchy and becoming the most powerful ruler in Scandinavian history.

Jacqueline of Bavaria, Countess of Holland, Hainault and Zealand (1402-1437) became ruler of her lands when her father died on May 13, 1417. Her most powerful vassal, the lord of Arkell, rebelled against the rule of a 15 year old woman and led a revolt to overthrow her, laying siege to the fortified city of Gorkum. Jacqueline led an army of 300 ships and 6,000 knights to relieve Gorkum. She personally led her reserve troops in a charge against the castle gate and defeated Arkell's forces.

In 1429 Isabella of Lorraine led an army to free her husband Rene, Duke of Anjou, who had been imprisoned by the Duke of Burgundy. She later took to the field to fight for Rene's recognition as King of Sicily. Her daughter Margaret of Anjou (1430-1482) married Henry VI of England and defended the Lancastrians during the War of the Roses. Leading her armies she defeated both the Duke of York and the Earl of Warwick. In 1471 she landed at Weymouth expecting to join her forces with those of Jasper Tudor, but his army was delayed and Margaret's greatly outnumbered forces were defeated at Tewkesbury. She fled the battlefield on foot carrying her infant son and eventually escaped with him to Flanders. She raised a new army and returned to England where she fought for a number of years before being captured by the Yorkists, who allowed Louis XI of France to ransom her after obtaining her oath that she would cease fighting.

Isabella I of Castile (1451-1504), wife of Ferdinand of Aragon and queen regent of Spain, who sponsored Columbus' voyage and brought the Inquisition to her country, led her armies into battle early in her reign to protect her succession. Later during the conquest of the Moors, she sometimes rode into battle or mounted sieges with and without Ferdinand, but she was better known as a genius at military tactics and supplying armies in the field.

In 1524 the King of France and the Constable de Bourbon were at war. The King's armies laid siege to Marseilles. Ameliane du Puget, the governor's daughter, led a troop of women who broke the siege. They dug a mined trench known as the Tranchee des Dames which became the modern day Boulevard des Dames.

Lady Ann Cummingham led a cavalry troop of men and women in the Battle of Berwick on June 5, 1639.

In 1643 during the English Civil War, Blanche the Countess of Arundel, defended Wardour Castle against a Parliamentarian army while Brilliana the Countess of Harley, who was pregnant at the time, defended Brampton Castle against the King's army.

Next Tuesday, Part IX of Women Warriors:
Women Soldiers and Sailors

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thanks for stopping in the Canteen!
Hope you get some time soon.

[SevenofNine]

Good morning Canteen members HA HA rack it

There is report off Jerserlum Post at this hour that Islamic Jihad website got hack overight so night owls on FR who did it

Also another report off AFP wire guess who endore John Kerry for Prez give up

North Korean news agency

TOO FUNNY LOLOLOL!

Also some serous news there a reprot off Aussie Age wire report that US intel has Bin Laden is freak out he going back and forth between mountain in Agahan and pakstein and report are US Force with Pakstein and Agatian are really hot on trail

Don't be suprise you wake up the morning if I surf the late night hour wire service

That you hear Bin Laden capture

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good day to you, TM, and thanks for serving coffee to our troops in the good china.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

I just hope that we catch sorry ass bin laden soon!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Don't be suprise you wake up the morning if I surf the late night hour wire service

I'm up late, Seven. Tap tap tap.... Can't wait for your report.

It really pleases me to know that UBL is freaked out and on the move all the time. Hehehe!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, CC, for "We Remember".

And thank you for your service too.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good Tuesday afternoon, Tom! Good Tuesday afternoon, Patriotic Pattie!

[SevenofNine]

OHH LINDA rackkkkk that photos ROFL

Yeahhhh because we know that Kerry is Chowd but he is French relation HELLO

Also Interfax wire reporting that overnight FSB ERRR I mean KGB busted group that try whack some members of infamous Russia duma found list on among at crib of this leader in Moscow Vlad picture and blood splash all over

NOT GOOD Idea to whack KGB agent you think


Also AP wire reporting that dude try run over US marines in Haiti got shot

Guys that good tip when you driving donn't try run over US checkpoint in your country

Tip you learn on Trile AAA website

[Conspiracy Guy]

Thank you on both counts.

CG

[SevenofNine]

This is not cool

Report off AP wire Fort Hood soldier who badmouth medical conditon at Foot hood among injuried soldier being denied medical care

That very wrong GOOD GOIN US Miltary medicals nice going good way get goof on the net

RUMMY you better look into this

I don't want hear joke on sport site I go on

Also another report yes it is true Viacom channel were yank off by Dish network because Viacoam folks are greedy bastards asking for 4 time rate

WTF

Report off AFP wire reporting that fun loving Pakstein has just test out new long range missile

Wash Post report that Dubya might be testify more longer that WH want

Dubya you better reveal everything that what did Clinton adminitariton knew about under CIA watch

OKAY

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Dad, for the tunes.

[StarCMC]

In Florida, an atheist became incensed over the preparation for Easter and Passover holidays and decided to contact the local ACLU about the discrimination inflicted on atheists by the constant celebrations afforded to Christians and Jews with all their holidays while the atheists had no holiday to celebrate.

The ACLU jumped on the opportunity to once again pick up the cause of the godless and assigned their sharpest attorneys to the case.



The case was brought before a wise judge who after listening to the long, passionate presentation of the ACLU lawyers, promptly banged his gavel and declared, "Case dismissed!"

The lead ACLU lawyer immediately stood and objected to the ruling and said, "Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? Surely the Christians have Christmas, Easter and many other observances. And the Jews-- why in addition to Passover they have Yom Kippur and Hanukkah... and yet my client and all other atheists have no such holiday!"

The judge leaned forward in his chair and simply said "Obviously your client is too confused to know about or for that matter even celebrate the atheists' holiday!"

The ACLU lawyer pompously said "We are aware of no such holiday for atheists, just when might that be, your honor?"


The judge said, "Well it comes every year on exactly the same date---April 1st!



"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'"
- Psalm 14:1, Psalm 53:

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you, Medal of Honor Recipients, for your sacrifices for your fellow soldiers.

1Lt Henry and Cpl Hernandez

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, DBR, for today's good news infusion.

[USAF_TSgt]

Linda,
I'm not a NY fan, but if you keep posing next to the logo in those nice outfits some subliminal reinforcement may take place and I'll start appreciating the Yankees.