The lower border of the third panel of the Ros tapestry shows Alice - complete with axe - seeking revenge for her lover's killing.
I’m still thinking about comics–and how they relate to women, and how women relate to them. And, god help you all, I’ve been reading about it.
Now I’m looking for them, I’ve found some fantastic blogs, articles and general geekery on the subject online, which I’ll come back to tomorrow once I’ve had time to organise the links (there will be many).
In the meantime, how’s this for Fem-Rage? The story of Alice of Abergavenny.
Her Welsh-Norman lover took her with him during the Fitzgerald-led Norman invasion of Ireland in 1170 and although the Normans were massively outnumbered on landing, their tactics enabled them to kill 500 of their opponents and take 70 prisoners. Unfortunately for Alice’s Marcher Lord, the invaders also suffered casualties–and he was one of them.
Alice’s considered response was to pick up an axe, and to personally behead each one of the 70 prisoners in revenge.
You go girl…
Elin Gregory
/ September 27, 2012I really need to find out more about this lady
x Elin of Abergavenny
Robin Shepperd
/ March 4, 2013Well, the thing that was downplayed in this story was that the Irish were defending their land. The Normans were stealing their cattle. Shame on Alice for killing all those warriors who were protecting their own against Alice and the other invaders.