Heroines of the Medieval World

Heroines of the Medieval World by Sharon Bennett Connolly is a study of some of the women who became part of history, for a variety of reasons, in a male driven world. History of the time was usually written by men for men so not a great deal is known about the lives of women during this period. However some do stand out and the parts of their stories that are known are included in this book.

Sections of the book include The medieval ideal, Heroines in religion, The medieval mistress, Scandalous heroines, The disinherited heroines, The pawns, Captive heroines, Warrior heroines, Women who ruled, True Love, Literary heroines and The survivors.

The reader can choose which section they want to read and in which order. A number of the stories in the book are of women in our family tree including Katherine Swynford, Joan Beaufort, Queen of Scotland, and the family of Robert I of Scotland who were imprisoned by Edward I of England. The book contains detailed notes, bibliography and index.

Scotland's Medieval Queens

In Scotland's Medieval Queens, Sharon Bennett Connolly examines the lives of the Queens of Scotland from Saint Margaret (1045 - 1093) to Margaret of Denmark (1456 - 1486). The author provides a study of part of Scotland's history through the lives of the women who held positions of power, usually in a time of turbulence and often violence

This was a time when there were conflicts between the Scots and the Vikings as well as frequent disputes with the kings of England. The French were also interested in what was going on in Scotland. 

Much of the book explores the role of the Scottish queens in the running of the country, especially when their husbands were involved in battles. The lives of members of the royal families, especially the women, were often in danger if they were captured and used as hostages.  

This work examines an important period in the history of Scotland as it strived for independence.