Love the idea of Kick Ass Women episode! Just bought a book on Fredegund and Brunhild called The Dark Queens, by Shelly Puhak. I’m excited to learn about them in honor of Women’s History Month.
Some other suggestions for a Kick Ass Women episode: Galla Placidia, Isabella of Portugal/Duchess of Burgundy, Tsarina Sophia Alekysevna, Elizabeth de Clare, and Jaquetta of Luxembourg.
I was thinking of not just mothers, which is what the other post was about, but there are women in history, even in the Middle Ages, who were able to rule, kick ass, and take names. Some commanded armies, some great advisors, some were the real power behind the thrown, etc. I was making a list in my head earlier, and more keep popping up.
Theodora, Olga of Kyiv, Joan of Arc ( Not a queen but got men to follow her), Isabella of France, Margaret of Anjou, Catherine of Aragon, Isabella of Castille, Matilda, Eleanor of Aquitaine, etc.
Thought provoking, thank you. The current events and historical figures you discussed made me wonder about persistence -- how many of us could persist like they did. And who will persist the longest now? You've seen this pattern historically, I wonder what you predict. I had forgotten about Thomas of Lancaster, a terrible end for someone who stood up twice against a corrupted court. Anniversary of his death is coming up March 22, 1322. He must've wondered about legacy and how he would be remembered. But I wonder if he imagined being discussed by people from around the world, 700 years later.
Women: I wish someone could sort out the real history of Saint Bega of St. Bees (Cumbria) fame. If she did flee across the Irish Sea alone to escape marriage with a Norse Viking prince, that's pretty bold for a young teen. The priory there is interesting.
You asked about a foolish experience we might have had: Before you and probably everyone else here was born, I was running around playing with my little sister on the grounds of a (vacant, off-season) hotel in the desert. It was a moonlit night and a vaguely familiar silhouette come down the path. Deciding to show off our run-and-roll moves, we chased each other for some minutes until my sister fell, causing me to trip over her and fly into the oncoming chest of actor Richard Widmark, almost knocking him to the ground. He said J.... C..., what's with you kids! and headed off to the tennis court as we lay on the ground too stunned even to apologize. Despite the early bad guy roles, he became a great Western and WWII film actor and was a fine man in real life. His worst roles were Medieval: he played the Dauphin in Saint Joan, (1957), and Rolfe the Viking in The Long Ships (1964).
A few years ago, my sister got married. It was in Scotland, which meant travelling 400 miles to get there and packing everything. Fortunately there was room at the Inn and we (my wife and children) could stay at my parents house for a couple of days before the main event which was about an hour's drive away.
Morning of the big day arrives. We pack our overnight bags for a stay at the hotel and I remember to pack my suit bag and off we set for a busy but enjoyable day. My wife is a bridesmaid, my son a page boy and my daughter a flower girl. Me? The idiotic oldest brother.
Everyone goes to the bridal suite for hair, make up dresses and to start drinking. I take the kids to the little village for some lunch and to kill time.
Eventually it is my turn to get changed. Go to the bridal suite, drop the kids pick up a button hole and head to the room to change. It's about an hour until the wedding starts.
Open the suit bag. All looks good. Trousers, Jacket, tie, shoes, shirt....
Shirt
Where the fuck is the shirt?
Called my wife. No answer.
Ran to the other room
"Where is my shirt?"
"It was on the bed at your parents as I unpacked it from the big suitcase"
"Why didn't you put ir in my suit bag?"
I felt the gaze and silence of half a dozen women surround me.
Numerous swear words later I am at reception asking if they have a spare shirt. They don't.
I ask where the nearest shop is that sells men's shirts.
"That will be in Lanark, Sir."
"Where is that"
"25 minutes away"
Double bollocks
Run out the hotel into the car wheelspin and a cloud of dust to race to Lanark to find a shop and pray it has a shirt in my size (it does and it is the last one). Back to the hotel. Roubd trip 40 mins. Lived life on the edge for the next couple of weeks in case I got a certain letter through the door from the Lanarkshire Constabulary.
Made it on time to the wedding complwte with fresh out the pack creased white shirt.
'Ass' is the strangest word in the English language. It can change the entire meaning of the word with which it is associated. I mean, 'bad' is the opposite of 'good' but 'badass' = 'good'. We all want to be known as 'smart' but how many of us want to be known as a 'smart-ass'? Being an 'ass' is not great but being a 'piece of ass' is great. Anyway, just some thoughts... Ass you were! 😁
I too booked a trip to the theatre to see Hamlet with David Tennant and Sir Patrick Stewart. It was around 2008 but definitely before son was around in 2009. It was a birthday treat for myself and Hubby along for the food (not a Shakespeare fan!).. So picture the following:
Stratford-upon-Avon. The 'home' of Shakespeare...
A Royal Shakespeare Company production with esteemed and glittering actors doing Shakespeare!
A hotel in the middle of the City with Shakespeare all around ever corner!
A beautiful old Hotel with real Tudor Beams and Grade II listed status.
An upgraded room to collapse into after sightseeing, with soft fluffy pillows and downy canopied King bed to bring history alive for my history passions...
Walking around taking in Shakespeare and explaining it all to a reluctant, but willing to please hubby, before check-in and the promise of the padded, guilded glory before the evening...
A candlelit evening meal just before the production in a swanky restaurant with partnered wines..
Yay to me and what a home run on planning the ultimate break. So I was really looking forward to trying to remember my A level studies of Shakespeare and this play..
All set for the best birthday day and evening and booked about 10 months before, so plenty of time to build the excitement!
We wandered the streets of Stratford, eating lunch at stops and a fantastic day, with the odd stop in the pub... We went to the hotel, relieved in the knowledge of a comfy break, change, dinner and theatre...
Imagine my shock and panic when told; "You have clearly no idea when your birthday is as your booking is for 21 August and not 20th! Sorry, its busy holiday season and we only have a twin room for tonight..." My own birthday a day most know by heart so what an idiot!
Luckily all was not quite lost as it just meant I had an extra night at the hotel! However, I then had to suffer hubby laughing from his single bed later in the evening saying I have no idea why you like Shakespeare. I didn't get it, other than wondering when the Tardus was about to turn up or maybe a Borg ship??
I loved Summer of Blood and recommend it frequently as a means of understanding the people getting pissed to the point of taking arms, pitchforks whatever.
STUPID THING
In grad school, for one semester, I had the great luck to become the driver for noted historian and visiting professor CR Boxer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._R._Boxer who was simply larger than life. My first job was to take him to the nearby historic site of Cahokia Mounds, so I drove him to Cahokia, Illinois. Unfortunately the Mounds are about 15 miles from the town of Cahokia...but he laughed it off, we drove to the mounds, climbed up the hill, he sniffed around a bit and said, "we can say we saw it, let's have a drink" which I stole as a life's motto, so it worked out ok.
Love the idea of Kick Ass Women episode! Just bought a book on Fredegund and Brunhild called The Dark Queens, by Shelly Puhak. I’m excited to learn about them in honor of Women’s History Month.
I just bought this too! Can't wait to read it!!!
Thanks Dan, very informative! My wife wanted me to say YES to a series of Bad Ass Woman. This leave room for a remark but she’s standing over me.
Yes, let's please do an episode on Kick Ass Women!
Morning Dan. 30 minutes is just right. I have the bathroom cleaned and the hoovering/vacuuming is next. Good job.
So glad I'm not the only one who does the housework whilst listening 🤣
A vote for a badass women episode - but a preference for some who are likely unfamiliar, please!
Us Yorkshire folk always the last to cave in and the first to kick up a fuss.
Note to self: finally buy Summer of Blood already!
Unknown Kick Ass Women, yes please.
Some other suggestions for a Kick Ass Women episode: Galla Placidia, Isabella of Portugal/Duchess of Burgundy, Tsarina Sophia Alekysevna, Elizabeth de Clare, and Jaquetta of Luxembourg.
I was thinking of not just mothers, which is what the other post was about, but there are women in history, even in the Middle Ages, who were able to rule, kick ass, and take names. Some commanded armies, some great advisors, some were the real power behind the thrown, etc. I was making a list in my head earlier, and more keep popping up.
Theodora, Olga of Kyiv, Joan of Arc ( Not a queen but got men to follow her), Isabella of France, Margaret of Anjou, Catherine of Aragon, Isabella of Castille, Matilda, Eleanor of Aquitaine, etc.
Thought provoking, thank you. The current events and historical figures you discussed made me wonder about persistence -- how many of us could persist like they did. And who will persist the longest now? You've seen this pattern historically, I wonder what you predict. I had forgotten about Thomas of Lancaster, a terrible end for someone who stood up twice against a corrupted court. Anniversary of his death is coming up March 22, 1322. He must've wondered about legacy and how he would be remembered. But I wonder if he imagined being discussed by people from around the world, 700 years later.
Women: I wish someone could sort out the real history of Saint Bega of St. Bees (Cumbria) fame. If she did flee across the Irish Sea alone to escape marriage with a Norse Viking prince, that's pretty bold for a young teen. The priory there is interesting.
You asked about a foolish experience we might have had: Before you and probably everyone else here was born, I was running around playing with my little sister on the grounds of a (vacant, off-season) hotel in the desert. It was a moonlit night and a vaguely familiar silhouette come down the path. Deciding to show off our run-and-roll moves, we chased each other for some minutes until my sister fell, causing me to trip over her and fly into the oncoming chest of actor Richard Widmark, almost knocking him to the ground. He said J.... C..., what's with you kids! and headed off to the tennis court as we lay on the ground too stunned even to apologize. Despite the early bad guy roles, he became a great Western and WWII film actor and was a fine man in real life. His worst roles were Medieval: he played the Dauphin in Saint Joan, (1957), and Rolfe the Viking in The Long Ships (1964).
A few years ago, my sister got married. It was in Scotland, which meant travelling 400 miles to get there and packing everything. Fortunately there was room at the Inn and we (my wife and children) could stay at my parents house for a couple of days before the main event which was about an hour's drive away.
Morning of the big day arrives. We pack our overnight bags for a stay at the hotel and I remember to pack my suit bag and off we set for a busy but enjoyable day. My wife is a bridesmaid, my son a page boy and my daughter a flower girl. Me? The idiotic oldest brother.
Everyone goes to the bridal suite for hair, make up dresses and to start drinking. I take the kids to the little village for some lunch and to kill time.
Eventually it is my turn to get changed. Go to the bridal suite, drop the kids pick up a button hole and head to the room to change. It's about an hour until the wedding starts.
Open the suit bag. All looks good. Trousers, Jacket, tie, shoes, shirt....
Shirt
Where the fuck is the shirt?
Called my wife. No answer.
Ran to the other room
"Where is my shirt?"
"It was on the bed at your parents as I unpacked it from the big suitcase"
"Why didn't you put ir in my suit bag?"
I felt the gaze and silence of half a dozen women surround me.
Numerous swear words later I am at reception asking if they have a spare shirt. They don't.
I ask where the nearest shop is that sells men's shirts.
"That will be in Lanark, Sir."
"Where is that"
"25 minutes away"
Double bollocks
Run out the hotel into the car wheelspin and a cloud of dust to race to Lanark to find a shop and pray it has a shirt in my size (it does and it is the last one). Back to the hotel. Roubd trip 40 mins. Lived life on the edge for the next couple of weeks in case I got a certain letter through the door from the Lanarkshire Constabulary.
Made it on time to the wedding complwte with fresh out the pack creased white shirt.
Yes to the kick ass women episode! Could we hear about less known women please.
'Ass' is the strangest word in the English language. It can change the entire meaning of the word with which it is associated. I mean, 'bad' is the opposite of 'good' but 'badass' = 'good'. We all want to be known as 'smart' but how many of us want to be known as a 'smart-ass'? Being an 'ass' is not great but being a 'piece of ass' is great. Anyway, just some thoughts... Ass you were! 😁
My stupid ass thing...
I too booked a trip to the theatre to see Hamlet with David Tennant and Sir Patrick Stewart. It was around 2008 but definitely before son was around in 2009. It was a birthday treat for myself and Hubby along for the food (not a Shakespeare fan!).. So picture the following:
Stratford-upon-Avon. The 'home' of Shakespeare...
A Royal Shakespeare Company production with esteemed and glittering actors doing Shakespeare!
A hotel in the middle of the City with Shakespeare all around ever corner!
A beautiful old Hotel with real Tudor Beams and Grade II listed status.
An upgraded room to collapse into after sightseeing, with soft fluffy pillows and downy canopied King bed to bring history alive for my history passions...
Walking around taking in Shakespeare and explaining it all to a reluctant, but willing to please hubby, before check-in and the promise of the padded, guilded glory before the evening...
A candlelit evening meal just before the production in a swanky restaurant with partnered wines..
Yay to me and what a home run on planning the ultimate break. So I was really looking forward to trying to remember my A level studies of Shakespeare and this play..
All set for the best birthday day and evening and booked about 10 months before, so plenty of time to build the excitement!
We wandered the streets of Stratford, eating lunch at stops and a fantastic day, with the odd stop in the pub... We went to the hotel, relieved in the knowledge of a comfy break, change, dinner and theatre...
Imagine my shock and panic when told; "You have clearly no idea when your birthday is as your booking is for 21 August and not 20th! Sorry, its busy holiday season and we only have a twin room for tonight..." My own birthday a day most know by heart so what an idiot!
Luckily all was not quite lost as it just meant I had an extra night at the hotel! However, I then had to suffer hubby laughing from his single bed later in the evening saying I have no idea why you like Shakespeare. I didn't get it, other than wondering when the Tardus was about to turn up or maybe a Borg ship??
What a twerp... He still never let's me forget!
Oh my goodness! Walking and listening Dan I said out loud "Harbinger" Doh!
Badass and kickass the same for me and a good essay before on this. However, a musings on a podcast of them in good for..
I loved Summer of Blood and recommend it frequently as a means of understanding the people getting pissed to the point of taking arms, pitchforks whatever.
STUPID THING
In grad school, for one semester, I had the great luck to become the driver for noted historian and visiting professor CR Boxer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._R._Boxer who was simply larger than life. My first job was to take him to the nearby historic site of Cahokia Mounds, so I drove him to Cahokia, Illinois. Unfortunately the Mounds are about 15 miles from the town of Cahokia...but he laughed it off, we drove to the mounds, climbed up the hill, he sniffed around a bit and said, "we can say we saw it, let's have a drink" which I stole as a life's motto, so it worked out ok.