MARIANNA MAYi

WA RIORS
Myths and Legends
of Heroic Women

ILLUSTRATED BY

JULEK HELLER
k
I

U.S. $18.00
CANADA $26.00

From

days of old, they

have intrigued people

all

over the world: brave,

defiant warrior

women who

stir

imaginations, rouse passions,

thousands of

and often

inspire

followers.

These

spirits are

goddesses, queens, and

and

fierce

peasants; they are children,

women, and
of their

fearless

young

adults in the winter

years.

This collection reaches beyond

such commonly celebrated figures

as

Joan of Arc and Cleopatra to touch

upon

the world's wealth of heroines.

Their characters and heritages are

as diverse

and complex

choices they

make

the Japanese

girl

life

as the

from Yakami,

who

to save another; to

risked her

Gwendolen,

the bold and bitter wife of a British

king; to Semiramis, the Assyrian

queen and founder of Babylon.

Whether

real

or mythic,

these stories are a testament to

humankind's ongoing fascination

with and respect for the power

of womanhood. Here are twelve

thrilling tales that

explore what
warrior,

it is

and hero.

question and
to be a

woman,

WOMEN

WARRIORS
Myths and Legends
o/Heroie Women

H
arv
:\ be!

Salec

MARIANNA MAYER
ILLUSTRATED BY

JULEK HELLER

MORROW JUNIOR BOOKS

New

York

FT

Watercolors were used for the full-color

The

SB BR
M*yrn

text type

is

illustrations.

12-point Galliard.

1999 by Marianna Mayer

1999 by Julek Heller
copyright 1999 by Ian Schoenherr

Text copyright

Illustrations copyright

|V)

Map

All rights reserved.

utilized in

$Wf657">/ /7?J

No

part of this

book may be reproduced or

any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,

including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage

and

retrieval system,

without permission

Published by
a division

of William

in writing

from the Publisher.

Morrow Junior Books

Morrow and Company,

1350 Avenue of the Americas,

Inc.

New York, NT 10019

www. williammorrovv.com
Printed in Singapore at Tien

13579

10

Wah

Press.

8642

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Women

warriors:

Mayer, Marianna.
myths and legends of heroic women / Marianna Mayer;
p.

Summary:

illustrated

by Julek Heller.

cm.

collection of twelve traditional tales about female

war goddesses, women warriors, and heroines from

around the world, including such countries as Japan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe.
ISBN 0-688-15522-7
military leaders,

1.

2.

Women

heroes

Folklore.

Women Folklore.
PZ8.1.M46Wo 1999

MAR 1 1 2000
SOUTH BOSTON BRANCH

3.

2. Tales.

Folklore.]

I.

[1.

Heroes

Heller, Julek,

398\082 dc21

98-45697

Folklore.
ill.

II. Title.

CIP

AC

For Gale La Cava Chancy, Kinuko Craft,

Diana Hammond, and Window

Pels

as

ably demonstrate every day, bravery

is

these noble

never out-of-date.

MM.
To Alicja, Lydia,

-J.H.

and

women

Zosia

CONTENTS
Introduction

Note about Pronunciation

Some Women Warriors from around

the

World

10

DEVI
The Goddess

Who Conquered

the Evil One

13

RANGADA
Noble Leader of Her Tribe

17

SEMIRAMIS
Child of the Doves

21

25

Note about Amazon Warriors

HIERA
The Amazon Queen and Her Bitter Victory

27

SCATHACH
The Warriors' Teacher

31

37

Note about Celtic Warriors

MORRIGAN
Fierce Goddess of

War

39

GWENDOLEN
First

Warrior Queen of Britain

43

BOADICEA
The Woman with the Sword

51

MELLA
Young Friend

of the Python

55

YAKAMI
Slayer of the Sea Monster

61

65

Note about Native American Warriors

WINYAN OHITIKA
Brave

Woman

of the Sioux

67

ALIQUIPISO
The Girl

Who

Saved Her Tribe

Selected Bibliography

Index

and Acknowledgments

71

76
78

INTRODUCTION

There was once

like

a warrior

do

those of a man. "If I

of a woman," she

maiden who was told that her actions were

replied, "since that

The heroines portrayed

horses as though born to
leading their

These are

these things, then they

it,

is

what

in this collection

must be the ways

know myself to

be."

prove her point. Riding

using weapons with

consummate

skill,

and

with passion, they often inspired thousands to follow.

lives

spirited

women

warriors from different times, cultures, and

who embody the kind of forthrightness we have come to

only modern women possess. They are far from the meek

social classes

think that

heroines

often

tional fairy tales

oppressed

in desperate

and

women

need of

folktales,

and they

hero

many

in

tradi-

are unlike the submissive or

much of

described in

found

the fiction and history of

centuries past.

For

all

their bravery

often disturbing

and love of adventure, they

women who

are

complex and

defy one-dimensional analysis. In the

dangerous, sometimes barbaric times

in

which they

lived, these

women

could be ruthless, bloodthirsty, and even vengeful. Whether or not

their actions

were admirable poses an interesting question and provides

opportunity for

lively discussion.

But whatever

else

might be

said for

them, these female heroes willingly took responsibility for their deeds,
regardless of the consequences,

These twelve

profiles

literary material that

and never made apologies.

were pulled from a vast store of historical and

was often incomplete and contradictor}' and

at

times was told from the point of view of the warrior's opponents

making the creation of the

profiles like sifting

through and piecing

together broken fragments unearthed from an archaeological dig.

Some,

like

the Celtic Scathach (the inspiration for the Lady Lochlyn)

and Hiera of the nation of Amazons, were created from scant threads

"

Women

of legend. Others, such

Iceni, the solitary

rich historical sources.

Semiramis of Assyria and Boadicea of the

as

women

in

Warriors

command

few of the

devoted Yakami from Japan

(also

of their armies, were inspired by

women

known

determined Mella from Zimbabwe, are

own

as Li

included, such as the

Chi

much

China) and the

in

known

better

in their

cultures than they are in the wider world. Perhaps the best pre-

served are the myths concerning warrior goddesses

like

the Celtic

Morrigan and the Hindu goddess Devi (or Durga).

Considerations of space

made

the inclusion of countless other

female heroes impossible. Their stories, just as compelling, include the

already well-documented lives of Cleopatra

and Joan of Arc; or the

more obscure Septimia Zenobia, queen of Palmyra (an ancient

northeast of Damascus),
A.D.; Camilla,

who was

who

challenged

Rome

hailed for her warrior

city

in the third century

skill

by Virgil

in the

Aeneid; and Nzinga Mbande, the seventeenth-century queen of Angola.

Rather than a celebration of war, these

commitment and courage of each heroine

the nature and uses of the innate
stories

of twelve

to fight

women who

tales are a tribute to the

as well as

an exploration of

power of womanhood. Here

are the

understood that power and were willing

sometimes to the death

cS

for

what they believed

in.

A NOTE ABOUT

PRONUNCIATION
The

spelling

and pronunciation of ancient names can be challeng

ing and contusing, since the stories

in

which they appear have often

been passed down through the

oral tradition (or they originated in a

language that was written

non-Western alphabet or perhaps was

not written

at all).

version of each

reading there

in a

For ease

in reading, the simplest or

woman's name

may be many

is

Keep

used.

variations.

in

is

common

that in further

For example, Boadicea

spelled Boudicca, Voadicea, Boodicia, Bunduica,

and Voadicia, and Morrigan

mind

most

is

also

Bunduca, Bonduica,

also referred to as

Morrigu, Muirgen,

Morrigaine, or Morgan.

Aliquipiso

ah-li-QUI-peh-soh

Boadicea

bow-di-SEE-a

Devi

DAY-vee

Gwendolen

GWEN-doh-len

Hiera

HEER-rah

Mella

MEE-lah

Morrigan

MOR-ree-an

Rangada

rahn-GAH-dah

Scathach

SCATH

Semiramis

sem-ee-RAM-us

Winyan Ohitika

WEE-yahn oh-HEE-tee-kah

Yakami

YAH-kah-mee

dome WOMEN -WARRIORS -

names of a few female military leaders, war goddesses, and

heroines from around the world. TJje stories of the women whose names
Here are
appear

the

in capital letters are told in this collection.

10

For more information

from

arouncait/ie

on the

others, please refer to the

regions noted on the

italic

map

WORLD:

index on page 78. (Countries,

cities,

and

are those mentioned in the book. Words in

are ancient place names no longer in use.)

11

DEVI
The Goddess Who
Conquered the Evil One
Devi

is

word for "deity" or "goddess."

the Sanskrit

Its literal

meaning

is

"

"glowing with radiant

light.

This story of Devi, who possessed one thousand arms,

great battle with the

evil

of East Indian

Many

lifetimes

that

was

supreme

stories called the

the collection

Puranas.

known

One. Taking the form of the

colossal

Mahisa

them

to seek

But Durga followed them, smashing

holy places where the sacred were worshiped.

falo

demon

stole the flames

caused droughts and floods.

falo

from hearth

He

tore

as

all

the

the

Still

not content, the buf-

fires,

diverted rivers, and

up mountains with

his great buf-

horns and captured many goddesses, forcing each perfect being to

work

as his slave.

The people beseeched

them of the

Evil

as great as the

and

all

Indeed, Durga was once

buffalo, he drove the deities out of the heavens, forcing

shelter in earthly forests.

her

ago the name of Durga was the name of

evil.

Evil

Dnrga comes from

and

said,

world

in

the great

god

Shiva, begging

One. But Shiva could not,

demon

buffalo's.

So Shiva

called

for his

upon

him

to rid

power was not

the goddess Devi

"Golden One, you alone have the power and energy of the
your grasp. Only you can defeat the demon that

is

terrorizing

your people."

But Devi was busy with many

different tasks,

dark Kalatri, guardian of the night, to take up the

Kalatri

the

and so she sent

battle.

But

alas,

was quickly defeated. Only Devi had the strength to vanquish

demon.

13

Women
So

at last

Warriors

Devi mounted her giant tiger and rode out to challenge

Durga. But the

demon was armed

lion elephants, an equal

with one hundred and twenty mil-

number of war

chariots,

and troops beyond

counting. All these lay in wait for battle with Devi, and as she

approached, an avalanche of arrows

through them

as if they

were

hurled great boulders. These

grains of sand.
stirred

The

buffalo

fell

upon

Devi passed

her. Yet

cloud of harmless mats. Then the armv

fell

away from Devi's body

demon

up hurricanes, uprooted

like

harmless

snorted in anger, and his breath

trees,

and wiped out

forests.

Yet

Devi advanced.

Outraged, the

demon

buffalo began to lash his

the oceans swelled and tidal waxes rose

land.

Still,

Devi advanced.

14

tail,

and suddenlv

up and crashed down upon the

demon

In wild frustration the

his buffalo tail,

but

of an enormous

lion.

but

an instant

in

upon Devi's

fell

slipped free as the

it

demon melted

into the form

demon

Devi drove her sword into the

changed into an armed

it

Devi lassoed

rigcr.

warrior. Devi shot her

and an arrow pushed past the shape changer's sword and

ing his heart.

Now

the

demon became

The world was ravaged by

on

his true

demon

shield, pierc-

the furious fighting. Vet as battle after

lost, until

form to ehallenge Devi. Stripped of

finally faced

bow

an elephant.

no one won and no one

battle continued,

lion's neck,

the warrior goddess as

Durga

all

the

demon took

his disguises, the

the Evil

One, and he

too had one thousand arms. In hand-to-hand combat the two clashed.

Then

silently

Devi drew back. Seeing

this,

the people wept, for they

believed that she, their only hope, was ready to admit defeat.

Devi took up

Durga laughed

cup of blood-red wine and slowly drank. As she did,

in

triumph, assuming victory. "You may laugh," said

Devi, rising to her

full

Then, finishing the

height, "but not for long."

last

drop of the heavenly wine, with lightning

speed Devi raised her foot and

let

it

crash

now plunged her golden trident

again until the demon lay lifeless.
Devi

Delivered from
victorious

cosmic

peril,

into Durga's

the world rejoiced.

champion the name of her opponent

battle, thus calling the

throughout the

remember

down on

rest

the

demon's neck.

body over and over

The people gave

their

memory of the

great

in

goddess Devi also Durga. This way

of time those speaking of Durga would forever

that his colossal

power was but

15

a part

of the great Devi.

RANGADA
Noble Leader of Her Tribe
woman named

Tins little-known story about a mortal

Rangada can

be found in the epic seventeen -volume work of

ninety thousand stanzas entitled the Mahabharata.

tradition dates
literature

Rangada,
burning

at 3000

it

B.C. or

in

her dark eyes.

Her arrows never

fearlessly,

could match her remarkable

leader, for

The

it

The

skill.

tribe

to choose

missed, she drove

tribes-

made Rangada
one

its

better.

Rangada never held back and always spoke her

mind. So when she came upon the renowned

beneath

B.C.

and none of her fellow

would have been impossible

forthright

300

even as late as

the warrior maiden, rode her horse with courage

off invading enemies

men

while some scholars of Indian

B.C.,

surest 900

Hindu

a tree, she boldly

bowman

Arjuna asleep

know who

approached, though she did not

he was. Struck by the handsome stranger, Rangada drew nearer. The

sound of her footsteps upon the dry

reached for

his

bow.

"Handsome youth, "

"never before have
is

flawless.

whole

heart.

have not

said

seen a
felt

Rangada without

man

love for anyone, but

Your every feature

could love you with

my

Vl

mate," he told her quickly, "for

is

not

fitting for a

am

"I

not looking for a

to a year of solitude." This

"Still, if

maiden whose bow and arrows

brought up to believe

girl.

am sworn

was true, but the hero then added,

a

of shyness,

trace

as beautiful as you.

Arjuna was stunned by the outspoken

choose

awakened Arjuna, and he

leaves

tell

were

of

woman.

life

free,

that

would not
have been

11

His words stung Rangada to the heart. Though Arjuna had

17

Women
spurned her, she

Rangada

left still full

of love for him.

bow and

made her way back

itation.

she arrived

on jeweled hoop

onto her almond-colored

oils

to Arjuna's tent. There she found

She quiedy entered the tent and

sat

upon

and he

down

sat

Taking her hand, Arjuna

perfect

nymph

said,

or goddess, for

him

mat

to wait.

Now

else

me?"

she

med-

lost in

When

she was

earlier

were one and the same.

"Surely you are no mortal, but

how

so mysteriously appeal" before

Then

beside her, never imagining; that

beauty and the huntress he had met

this

earrings and

skin.

Arjuna looked up, the sight of Rangada startled him.

beautiful to his eves,

home,

arrows aside, she adorned her wrists and

ankles with golden bangles. She put

rubbed sweet-smelling

When

and wrapped herself in flowing

riirew off her hunting clothes

Casting her

silks.

Warriors

some

could such a splendid beauty

Filled with happiness,

Rangada

gave him a serene smile, deciding to say nothing of her true identity.

So

it

was that Arjuna broke

vow of solitude

his

for

Malha, for that

was the name Rangada called herself while she was with him. For
teen months Arjuna and Malha lived together joyfully.

thir-

They walked

along the mossy banks of the river hand and hand and bathed in the
crystal-clear water.

warm summer

the

when

the evenings

They gathered

grew

in the fourteenth

month

man

as

each other's arms

hunted

for their

she loved.

group of tribesmen came to Arjuna's

They spoke of

the peak of her strength and beauty, a

rode

in

cool. In that time Arjuna

tent, searching for their leader.

who

green ferns for their bed in

wrapped

nights and slept

food, and Malha cooked for the

But

soft

maiden

a brave-hearted girl at
skilled at

all

weaponry,

one with her wild raven- black steed, and whose courage

had no bounds. As he
the possibility of a

listened, Arjuna, the great warrior,

woman

wondered

capable of being his equal in

all

at

things.

Imagining riding side by side with her, he suddenly longed to

know

her.

"Since Rangada has disappeared," the tribesmen continued, "we

have been besieged by our enemies.

Our

villages

have been raided, and

our tents burned. Without our great leader we are powerless to light
off these invaders. If she

is

indeed

lost to us,

18

we

shall all perish."

Rangada
Pitying them, Arjuna said, "If you wish,

will ride

with you against

your enemies."
All the while

Rangada had been

listening

from inside the

tent. At

unable to deny her people, she stepped out. Knowing that she

last,

risked Arjuna's rejection

Rangada offered her

hands to touch

their

and anger

With

help.
her,

for

cries

and some

having concealed her identity,

of joy her comrades reached out

fell

to their knees at the

welcome

sight of their noble leader. Astonished, Arjuna stood apart from the

jubilant reunion in silence.

As Rangada mounted her wild

steed, Arjuna marveled at the sight

of his gentle Malha, for suddenly he saw that she had the strength and
skill

to calm the animal. Indeed, he could barely trust his

for here

was

a warrior in

all

ways

fierce yet

called to her beloved Arjuna, inviting

With

a sense

mounted

him

own

eyes,

womanly. Then Rangada

to join the

upcoming

battle.

of excitement that surprised even him, Arjuna quickly

his horse

and went to

ride

bv the side of the

19

woman

he loved.

SEMIRAMIS
Child of the Doves
Oiieen

Sammuramat

of Assyria

is

Greek name, Semiramis. Although she

best
is

known

by her

the earliest female

warrior whose existence bas some certainty, scholars differ greatly on the
specific

years.

date of her reign, with varying opinions spanning some 1,535

According

one

to

the Greek historian

However, there

is

this real-life

One

morning

Roman

scholar, sbc lived

about 2177

Herodotus suggested a reign as

late as

713

There,

all

B.C.

no debate over the fact that the childhood of

queen

in late

is

the stuff of mythological legend.

summer

the goddess Derceto, heavy with

stepped into the wildwood near Ascalon

child,

while

B.C.,

in

Syria.

alone, she gave birth. Later that day only the wild

creatures of the forest heard an

abandoned baby's

of doves drawn by the sound gathered

overhead. "If we don't find food for the

in the

little

feeble cries.

flock

branches of the trees

one, she

will surely starve

to death," observed one.

"Surely the mother will be back," said another.

But when night

said, "It breaks

my

and there was no sign of the mother, one dove

fell

heart to listen to the infant's cries."

"It will be cold tonight," said another.

So the doves made

tar

a nest for the infant

and fed her

berries

and nec-

of wildflowers.

The next day

the birds went to Sisona, the shepherd of King Ninus'

royal flock. Sisona

and

his wife

were an elderly couple with

on the edge of the wood. Out of

pair always

found food

morning the doves

their

for the birds

tap, tap,

tapped

meager provisions

cottage

this kindly

and other wild creatures. That

at the

21

cottage window.

Women
Though

Warriors

Sisona and his wife did not understand, they stepped out-

doors to see what was the matter. "Come with us!" the birds cooed,
pulling at the old shepherd's cap and his wife's apron strings.
Clearly the birds
that.

As soon

they came

"Oh,"

as the

upon

wanted them to
doves saw

the infant in a

cried the old

this,

follow, so the old couple did just

they set off into the wood. At

down -feathered

woman, "what

doves mean for us to look

last

nest.

a beautiful baby!

Surely the

after her."

-j

Sisona and his wife brought the child home. Having no children of
their

own, they were overjoyed and adopted the babe, giving her the

name Semiramis, which means "dove."

As the months slipped into
free

young woman.

goddess,

No

years, the lovely child

grew into

a care-

one knew Semiramis was the daughter of

but anyone seeing her out

22

in

the

woodland with the

wild creatures she loved would have supposed she was too beautiful to

be

mortal.

One

day Menon, the king's principal

under Sisona's

royal flock

officer,

care. Captivated

visits.

At

last

Menon

consented,

to inspect the

by Semiramis

beauty and charming conversation, the young

many

came

man

thereafter

the officer begged her to marry him.

took Semiramis to

his palace

surpassing

made

When

she

the capital city

in

of Nineveh.

For many months they

den from

lived happily,

society , fearing that if any

7

fight to the death to

keep

man saw

kept his bride hid-

would have

her, he

live in seclusion,

When war

with every luxury.

filled

Menon

But Semiramis was too

her.

strong-willed to be content to

but

even

broke out and

if

and

brilliant

such a

Menon was

to

was

life

called to

Semiramis insisted on joining him.

tight,

At

one

first

at the

city after

another

fell

to the Assyrians.

Then

Media,

in

seemingly impenetrable wall of Bactria, the army came to

standstill.

Unable to

well-defended fortress, King Ninus of

scale the

Assyria ordered his forces to retreat. That night Semiramis surprised

everyone by going before Ninus and

pose

a cleverly

his

assembled war council to pro-

devised assault on the fortress. "But no one will volun-

teer to lead such a raid. It

is

suicide!" declared the councillors.

"I will lead your troops, Majesty, " Semiramis said.

was the king that he endorsed her

When

equal to the task.

the bravest

The

moment

the decisive

men

Amid

plan.

arrived,

Semiramis proved herself

fully

barrage of arrows and stones, before which

trembled, she led her troops to the foot of the citadel.

sight of a beautiful

them

So impressed

woman

braving the same dangers that caused

to pale united the soldiers. Ignoring the peril, they followed the

intrepid heroine,

who

rushed up the scaling ladder and was the

reach the battlements.

fierce

first

to

but brief fight ensued, and soon the

Assyrian flag was raised from the top of the great wall.

Now Ninus was

overcome with

desire for the beautiful warrior

urged her husband to give her up to him.

Ninus

in

a furv

When Menon

refused,

had him blinded and imprisoned. Deprived of

23

and

his

Women
beloved Semiramis,

Menon

The king married

honor. While
courtiers
Assyria.

his

in

the

the loss of

cast

died mysteriously in his

cell

young widow, but he paid

won

royal court Semiramis

and the army

She

Warriors

alike. In

shortly after.

dearly for the

the hearts of the

no time she was the supreme power of

Ninus into prison and

later

put him to death to avenge

Menon.

Queen Semiramis had

long and prosperous reign. She founded

Babylon, which was called the Golden City, and designed the famed

Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the

Ancient World. Not
enlarged

it

satisfied

with the vast empire

by successive conquests.

left

by Ninus, she

great part of Ethiopia

came

under her power. Remarkably Semiramis was the only sovereign among
the ancients, except Alexander the Great,

beyond the Indus

who

ever carried a war

River.

In old age Semiramis voluntarilv abdicated the throne to her son.

She lived sixty-two years, out of which she reigned

two.

as

queen

for forty-

the Athenians thereafter worshiped her as a goddess in

It is said

the form of a pure white dove, and others thought of her as another

form of the goddess Astarte.

armed with a sword was

bronze statue of Semiramis

ported upon

lofty pillars.

One

once sup-

such pillar remains, engraved with the

queen *s own words:

Nature made me a woman yet

GREATEST MEN.

flwt raised myself to rival the

SWAYED THE SCEPTER OF NlNOS;

EXTENDED MY

DOMINIONS TO THE RIVER HlNAMEMES EASTWARD; TO THE SOUTHWARD

TO THE LAND OF FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH; NORTHWARD TO SACCAE

and Scythians.

No

Assyrian before me flad seen an ocean, but

H\YE SEEN FOUR.

HAVE BUILT DAMS AND FERTILIZED THE BARREN LAND

WITH MY

PLAVE BUILT

PLACES

RIVERS.

IMPREGNABLE WALLS AND ROADS TO FAR

AND WITH IRON CUT PASSAGES THROUGH MOUNTAINS WHERE

PREVIOUSLY EVEN WILD ANIMALS COULD NOT

MY DEEDS,

PASS.

VARIOUS AS WERE

HAVE YET FOUND LEISURE HOURS TO INDULGE MYSELF

WITH FRIENDS.

24

A NOTE ABOUT

AMAZON WARRIORS
There are those who believe that once there was a nation
called

Amazonia populated

entirely by

women. Legend

tells

that

for four hundred years (1000-600 B.C.) they held power over the portion

of Asia Minor bordering the shores of the Black Sea. The

a race that devoted themselves

warriors.

On

Amazons

were

entirely to developing their skills as

certain days of each year, however, they set aside their

military pursuits
choose mates.

and

visited the

surrounding settlements

Once children were born,

to

the sons were left with

their fathers while the daughters returned with their

mothers

to

Amazonia

to be

instructed in the arts

of warfare, hunting,

It

is

and

riding.

thought that at the height of its

power Amazonia extended over

all

Asia Minor and

Ionia (an ancient region on the west coast of what

is

Turkey, including nearby islands in the Aegean),

as well as the greater part of Italy.

25

now

HIERA
The Amazon Queen and
Her Bitter Victory
Though a few Amazons are known by name
Orithya,

and

Penthesilea

TPie following story

fragmented legends
by ancients

no complete

of a brave
left to

Amazon

of their conquests remain.

queen

the

Amazon

army of women warriors

her

feet.

queens, rode
for

many

a blade or race across a river

inspired by the scant

known

alike as the Father of History.

of foot that she could run through

damaging

is

ns by such early writers as Herodotus,

and many moderns

Hiera, one of

tales

such as Marpesia,

at the

years.

a field

head of her

Hiera was so

fleet

of wheat without

without wetting the soles of

brave warrior and a wise queen, Hiera was born with the

mettle to face grim fights.

Even

as a girl

Hiera was regal, whether splendidly clothed

purple or dressed in leather armor.

long black

hair,

staff with a

and she wore

A golden

a quiver

in royal

brooch clasped her heavy,

of arrows and carried

fir

wood

bronze lance's head.

It is said

that once a mighty king bent

on conquering neighboring

lands tried to gain her territories by offering marriage. Hiera declined,

for the

queen was well aware

that he

was wooing not her but her

dominions. Instead she urged him to go in peace. But

the bridges being built that

and begin an

own

assault

would enable

on her people, Hiera

people, and try to bear the sight of

But peace was scarcely the aim of

as she

watched

his armies to cross the river

sent this message: "Rule your

me

this

ruling mine."

power-hungry king. Within

twenty years he had amassed a huge empire by conquering others. In

response to Hiera's message, he offered to discuss a settlement

27

at a

Women

Warriors

banquet that he would provide. Going

in

good

faith,

Hiera's daughter

Zedna, the general of her army, and other ehief warriors attended.

There the Amazons,

after a lavish feast,

were slaughtered, and the

queen's daughter was eaptured.

Now

the queen sent

word

"Hungry

to the king:

as

you

are for

blood, you have no cause to be proud of your recent treachery, for

has

no mark of

Return

military courage.

my

country." She continued grimly: "Refuse, and

blood than you have ever hungered

When

vow

to give

fulfilled.

in a confrontation

She and her troops swept

more

my

you more

for."

the king ignored her ultimatum, Hiera saw to

words were horribly

enemy

daughter, and leave

it

it

that her

down upon

the

violent than any other before fought

between two nations. The queen,

who had

28

sought to mediate rather

than go to war, now exulted amid the

made

female warriors

the

battle.

echo with

river

Hiera mu\ her faithful

their

hoofbeats

they

as

rode their chariots of war, waving crescent shields .md shrieking

wild battle
In her

armor. At

through

eries.

eombat with the king Hiera battered through

last,

his shield

seeing her opportunity, she drove her shafted spear

his ehest into his heart.

"Did you imagine

that

you were chas-

ing wild beasts in the forest?" she shouted. "Well, the day has
to prove that you imagined wrongly.

your forefathers

for
in

and

Go

to

Hades with

this

You have earned some degree of

your otherwise ignoble existence

for having

been

slain

come

message

distinction

by the hand

of Hiera."

The Amazon queen and her army had succeeded

adversaries, but for Hiera

it

was

in defeating their

The queen soon

a bitter victory.

dis-

covered that her daughter was dead, having chosen suicide rather than

endure

captivity.

Before returning home, Hiera ordered a search to be

the dead for the

body of the

king.

When

it

was dragged before

took hold of the head of the corpse and plunged

with

and

mv

human
lived,

blood, saying as she did,

still

"Though

it

her, she

into a skin filled

have conquered you

you have mortally wounded me by treacherously taking

daughter. See

for at last

made among

now

I fulfill

my

vou have more than vour

promise: Drink deep, greedy king,

fill

29

of blood."

SCATHACH
The Warriors' Teacher
Stories of Amazon warriors spread beyond continental

Europe and Asia Minor. Ancient Celtic legend

promising youth dared go

and

to the island

learn her warrior craft, no

him. There, on what

is

man

that if a

tells

ofScathach the Amazon,

would be able

usually identified as the

to

stand against

of She, Scathach

isle

trained some of the most famous warriors of the Celtic heroic

age.

Among her specialties

and combat

fighting,

were pole vaulting, underwater

with barbed harpoon, which she invented.

She was also described as a goddess, sage, poet,

Though only fragmented legends relating

remain,

among

the tales of King

who was said

the winter of her years

and

instruct in weaponry, courage,

many
she

Arthur

names, her origins harken back

is

called the

Lady

named Ewain,

Lochlyn,

and

son, are

is

Scathach

woman

compassion. Though she

to

in

promising knights

Scathach

herself.

In

good

Morgan

le

to

had

my

the knight she has chosen

son of the mistress of magic

me, my
you
TellLochlvn
when Ewain

to

there

to select

and prophet.

tale

is

Tay.

fighter?" asked the

Lady

arrived at her camp.

"No, my

lady,

am

great," he answered. "I have

against

young men, and

"Good,"
"Good!

lost

said the lady.

Why

not experienced, and

won

strength

few rounds while on the

is

not

tilting field

more."

"Very good."

good?" asked the astonished youth.

"Because vou have not yet made

see bv vour

my

movements

that

a habit

of your

faults.

you were born with natural

31

And

can

grace. It's

Women
with such material that

Warriors

And

can work best.

so

welcome you

to

my camp."
The youth looked

at

Her

the lady.

were written plainly on her sunburned

was white, and her years

hair

Her nose was strong

face.

hawk's beak, and her amber eyes were farseeing and

The

lady caught Ewain's glance and gave

wondering how

it is

him

fierce.

wry

like a

smile. "You're

that a lady can be about such work, but

you

are

too polite to ask."

"Yes,
face

ma'am, pardon.

mean no

and

disrespect," said the youth,

turned crimson.

"Never mind

that,

Enviously

watched

my

knew

my

was

whether

brothers' clothes, and

like

would burn me,

my

for

it is

Her

such things?" she replied. "But

they

then they, a better bowsecretly

if it

am

kill

is

some-

well,

killed a

were found out, they

a knight.

So

slipped

off.

a horrid tale."

what lady would openly admit

putting you on your honor. If you

from me, then you must swear yourself to

secrecy."

"As an honest knight," Ewain vowed, "I promise that no harm

come

to

"Ah,

you by any
I

act

see I've not

not finished

my

will

of mine."

misjudged you," said the

tale.

After that dreadful battle

the thought of knighthood was

die. I

and

encountered,

But then

shield.

voice trailed

are right to be scandalized, for

are to learn

like.

movement

beat everyone

treason for a lady to

lady's world, yet..."

the free

masked myself as

was frightened that

"Lady!" exclaimed Ewain. "This

"You

hated

little girl I

anv voting bov to await the chance

whoever came along.

fair fight. I

was to prove. So

was by wrestling or sword and

it

knight in a

back to

me from

a better rider

spear, as

then went out into the forest

to challenge

"As

embroidery, lacemaking, and the

that kept

man, and better with the

times dressed in

girls:

said.

brothers practicing their sports and cursed the

gowns and dainty shoes

took for granted.

you," she

will tell

those ladylike tasks given to

I've

his

follv.

Yet

mv

watched tournaments and joustings.

watched the ignorant clumsily go about

32

talent

lady, satisfied,
I

that for

me

interest did

not

knew

and

"but

saw the mistakes made and

their fighting,

no

better than

'

butchers hacking up meat.

greatness

came from knowing

their opponents.
art

The good

their

fighters

were no accident. Their

weapons and shrewdly

watched and learned

until

of warring than did any knight upon the

knowledge

sat

But

restless.

"Tell

within me. For a time

finally

found that

after

it

sizing

knew more about

field.

And

me

bitter

way

for

me.

there was a

the

there that

festered, turning

all

up

and

me, how many young untried knights have you known who

have ridden

off,

only to return in twelve months' time

as

sharp as any

blade. and as sure as any steely spearr"

"I've

known some," answered

Hector. Twelve months ago even

son he

The

is

the lad.

softly.

"Well,

last

year there was Sir

could have bested him, and

back to win the greatest prize

lady laughed

"Only

good

at the recent

for him.

this sea-

tournament."

He was

a fine

student,

one of my best."

"You

trained him?

"And how could

lessons

from

He

her

womanV

walk briskly up the

never mentioned you."

What man

alive

would admit he'd received

his

She turned away from him then and began to

hill.

33

Women
"Where

Warriors

we bound, ma'am?" he asked

exactly are

as

he hurried

his

step to keep up.

"To my manor, of

Now

present.

You know

course.

all

you need know of me

time to begin your quest for perfect knighthood."

it's

Ewain had come upon the Lady Lochlyn while

strange

wood,

at

traveling in a

which he had been directed by an older knight, who

to

had sworn that the place sheltered wonders.

was

It

briars.

No

wood of oak and

opening invited entry, so Ewain had had to hack

sword, but

his

covered ridge
beauty. She

wore

a path

mossy mountainside. Above the spring on

middle age, possessing an

air

was

a fern-

of fading

of pale roses twined around her loosely

a garland

clothes were embroidered in gold and silver thread,

heavy cloak of sturdy wool lay on the ground behind

How

with

he found a narrow passage that led to a spring

sat a lady well past

Her

coiled hair.

and

at last

poured from

that

and guarded with thick

pine, tangled

Ewain wondered

it,

in

her.

amazement, that such

should be sitting out in the wilderness waiting

as

a lady

though she were

expecting him?

Ewain followed the Lady Lochlyn to her walled manor house, and
there he stayed for twelve long months.

on meager

before as he lived

serf while she lessoned

him

bow and

arrows, riding, and

into his

bed of straw out

moon was

forgot

that

all

swordsmanship, marksmanship with

in

the

rest.

He awoke

before light and

barn beside his horse well after the

in the

horse

is

better than

on the

first

instructing you.

You

good armor," she had

am

said

day,

"and so you

will

comfort and treasure your horse, feed him before you

wounds

will sleep beside

not

It

was

yours while

before your own. Then,

both an instrument and

unit,

hard

life,

Remember:

a friend.

man perched on

when you have

eat, search

need, you'll have

horseman

is

a single

top of a beast."

she had promised

sword, must be forged by the refining

day.

fell

up.

"A good

his

had gone

and wore the rough clothes of a

victuals

all

He

"Only through hardship can

him

fire,"

that.

"A

knight, like his

she declared

on the second

man's character be proved."

34

Day

month

after day,

after

month

ch

the time sped by, until unbeliev-

ably a year had passed. Finally his eye and

arm responded without

thought or intention;

also

motion and balance

his

had become one. At

the lady saw she had the makings o\\\ fighting man.

last

month, the

In the twelfth

more

eritieal

last

month, the Lady Lochlyn seemed

than ever before. Her tongue dripped poison .md her eves

blazed as she raked him for the slightest error. Then one evening of

day

in spring she

stopped to regard him.

the day's effort. "Well, there

you

are not ready

"Am

good knight

now, you

it

is,"

shall

He was

and weary from

dirty

she said. "I have

done

all

can. If

never be."

then.-" he asked.

"You're nothing until you are tested," she answered, "but you are
at least

the fertile

Now get some

root.

that

now

ground out of which

rest, for

tomorrow we

good knight might

shall

be off to

test the tools

have made."

The next day he was serubbed and bathed by

new

take

elothes to wear. She gave

born of magie. "You

"It has

him armor, promising him

shall see that

been made so that there

resting place."

When

he was

fitted

she brought out his horse and

"Where

to,

"This

the time

is

At the

believe

it is

is

that

it

was

nearly weightless," she deelared.

no

plaee

where

a blade

can find a

with a well-crafted sword and shield,

commanded, "Lead on."

ma'am?"

when

ment, and every year she

from here.

servants and given

castle

you

the

Lady de Mare holds her spring tourna-

offers a fine prize.

will find

Her

castle

is

not

a tar ride

worthy competitors there."

Ewain and the Lady Lochlyn were each given

a splen-

did chamber, and in the evening there was feasting, tales told, and

music played by troubadours. The prize for the winner of the tourna-

ment was on

displav as well: a golden circlet intricately

made and worth

a great fortune.

Ewain was dazzled by

the great hall she

beauty shining

all

he saw and equally amazed by

moved with

like a flame,

dignity in a silken

his lady. In

gown, her

striking

her eyes sparkling, and her rosy skin glow-

ing in the candlelight.

On

the

morning of the tournament, when the

35

ladies

took their

Women
places

Warriors

on the stand and the competing knights prepared,

brought to

Sir

Ewain. Unwrapping

Lochlyn's lavender

helmet so that

The

fight

it

silk scarf,

would

it,

he found

and he fastened

float like a

it

to the

in the stands

noting the scores. They were expert in the sport and

skill.

met everyone who came

When

was the Lady

crown of

was long and glorious, for there were good

from good knighdy

As the day progressed, one

against

circlet

his

fighters

leaned forward,

knew

the slapdash

single quiet knight

him and unhorsed each, almost

the trumpet called a close to the day, there was

ment. The golden

was

pennon when he rode.

engaged, and the judges and the ladies

lessly.

it

a parcel

was brought to Ewain.

effort-

no argu-

It glittered in his

hands. Ewain thanked his hostess and strode to his lady and publicly
offered the prize to her. She swept off her headdress, and Ewain placed
the circlet

upon her head while

Afterward,

as

company applauded.

the

they rode away from the castle, the Lady Lochlyn said

you only the use of sword and

to him, "I taught

spear.

learned your graceful manners from your mother.

you

will

go

You must have

With

that

weapon

far."

As they neared the place where they had

"Madam, you have

given

me

beyond

gifts

first

met, Ewain

price. Will

said,

you ask some-

thing of me?"

"Aye,

shall ask

you to remember

all

have taught you," she

answered quickly.

"That could not be otherwise,

my

lady,"

he told

her.

Then with

note of jealousy he asked, "Will you go back to find another knight?"

"Yes, but
again.
it

I will

Confound

be

it!"

must be to have

not be easy to find the

critical. It will

she exclaimed with

a son!"

36

some emotion.

likes

of you

"How

awful

A NOTE ABOUT
CELTIC WARRIORS
Women
and

warriors are

common

in the legends of Britain

the divine patrons of battle were

women going

into battle shocked their

offoreigners would not be able

to

and

Ireland,

women. The custom of Celtic

Roman

enemies.

"A whole

troop

withstand a single Celt if he called

his wife to his assistance," wrote the

Roman Ammianus Marcellinus

in the fourth century (quote from

37

Nora Chadwick, The Celts/

MORRIGAN
War

Fierce Goddess of

Morrigan, or Morrigu, figures prominently in

She

the fiercest of the three great

is

many

can take

war goddesses of Ireland.

a black carrion crow presaging death.

night, while the great and arrogant warrior Cuchulain was

deep

in sleep,

Morrigan, draped

in flowing

robes, stepped soundlessly into his tent.

smiled

down upon

whispered

the

handsome

afar for a

hand on

you

Any
ful

that I've chosen

other

man would

long while. You have great

madam," he
desire.

Tomorrow

"Tomorrow's

to be

would ensure

am weary from

must

face the battlefield

my

you do not

fail.

when you

But Morrigan's

offer

man's

bad time,
is

all

once more."

need not worry you,

awhile with me," she suggested.

warring, and sleep

Morrigan did not grow angry

battle

for sleep

mate."

for to have her favor

there by vour side to see that

enough

my

come tonight

have

But not Cuchulain. "You have picked

told her. "I

Surprisingly

you

and brav-

skill

have welcomed such words from the beauti-

and powerful Morrigan,

lasting success.

The war goddess

his bare shoulder. "I've

ery in battle, and for this and your manly beauty,

tell

rainbow-colored

"Wake up, Cuchulain," she

warrior.

as she rested a delicate

watched you from

to

She

different forms, but most often she appears in

stories as

One

Irish sagas.

at

this

rejection.

beloved. For

will

So come along and

"Remember, my

dear, there

is

be
sit

time

are dead."

of assistance only insulted the proud

Cuchulain, and he angrily replied,

"A

warrior as fine as

has

no need

of a woman's help."
It

was

this that

brought Morrigan's wrath down on the champion.

39

Women
from

In a fury she flew

had made her

his

Warriors

vowing he would rue the day

his tent,

that he

enemy.

At dawn the following morning Cuchulain was knocked from

bed by

sudden explosion. Confused by

his feet,

and without

a stitch

his

sleep, the warrior struggled to

of clothing or weapons, he ran out of his

tent to find the cause. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary about the

camp, Cuchulain jumped into

his chariot

Unfortunately for Cuchulain,

it

and sped off to search

was not

he was

until

farther.

fully

There he was, out

that he realized the absurdity of his situation.

awake
in the

middle of nowhere, with no notion of where he was heading, without

clothes or weapons.
his chariot

Looking about him

and contemplated

rider

was

him

when he suddenly saw

her regal bearing he

it

a chariot

come

neared, Cuchulain saw that the

with flowing flame-red hair and a blood-red cloak

that billowed out behind her as

shame and anger

As

at great speed.

woman

embarrassment, he halted

next move.

his

His humiliation mounted

riding toward

in

knew that

was caught bv the

it

it

wind.

;ustv

From

was Morrigan. Cuchulain flushed with

to think that the goddess should see

him

like this.

In the next instant the chariot and horse vanished while at the same

time Morrigan changed into a great cawing black bird that rose into
the sky and streaked away.
still

Long

rang in Cuchulain'' s ears

like

after

it

had disappeared,

mocking

its

sharp cry

laughter.

But shaming the arrogant warrior was not enough

for Morrigan.

Later that morning, on the battlefield where Cuchulain and his troops

were righting, she brought out

a single silver cord.
tacle
his

fifty

white heifers harnessed together by

As the cows thundered across the

confused Cuchulain's

men and immediately

field,

the spec-

gave the advantage to

enemy.

And

still

the goddess's vengeance was not satisfied.

Next, Morrigan transformed herself into

falling

upon Cuchulain,

legs. Just as

she

long black serpent, and

twisted herself around his arms and

he was on the verge of freeing himself, Morrigan became

a giant she -wolf.

Lunging

at

him, she tore

at his

arms and legs with

razorlike teeth.
All other warfare ceased as the other

40

men looked

on, aghast at the

The she-wolf and Cuchulain fought on and on

frightful struggle.

Only then did the goddess

nightfall.

camp

ger back to his

Morrigan had

retreat, leaving her victim to stag

to tend his bloody

also

that

according to

heal unless she could

from the man who had injured

blessings

wounds.

been badly hurt, mk\ she knew

wounds would not

ancient lore, her

until

her.

Though

win three

the very idea that

she might succeed in obtaining these from Cuchulain seemed impossible,

Morrigan had

The next day

milking

cow

to

a plan.

she turned herself into an old hag and went with a

the side of a crossroad where Cuchulain was sure

sit at

to pass. There she waited with her pail

ing that the warrior

her.

At

last

warrior,

would be hot and

quench your

bless you, for to

When
more

of freshly drawn milk, know-

thirsty

by the time he reached

Cuchulain approached, and she called to him, "Here, noble

thirst

with a cup of milk."

Gratefully Cuchulain took

gods

full

she poured

be sure,

up the cup and drank,

I

am

a third time,

the

thirsty."

he gave

And

after she

had

a third blessing.

filled

and offered

Morrigan was then

and her w ounds were healed.

thrice blessed,

The man

"May

him another, Cuchulain accepted again and once

blessed her for her kindness.

him the cup

saying,

fell

back, startled, for just then Morrigan spread sweeping

black wings and rose into the sky.

The old crone

place was a great black crow. Perched

upon

a tall

vanished; in her

dead

tree, the bird

gave no blessing but instead foretold of a swift and grim end to the

champion's

life.

Though legend
the

champion went on

victories

under

of Morrigan's

that

tells

to

many

the protection

rival, the

war-

rior goddess Scathach, at last

her vengeful prophecy came

pass,

and

the

to

superhuman

Cuchulain met his death while

fighting on the battlefield.

41

'

GWENDOLEN
Warrior Queen

First

of Britain

In his famous History of the Kings of Britain, the

twelfth -century writer Geoffrey of Monmouth

of Gwendolen

and

us of the marriage

tells

Locrin. The eldest son of Brutus, Locrin inherited

Britain (then called Loegris) in about 1065

B.C.,

younger brothers ruled Wales and Scotland,

The

Isle for

his

two

respectively.

man without

high king of Britain was Locrin, a

throughout the Mighty

and

equal

manly beauty. Locrin remained

unmarried, for he had no want of adoring maidens to keep

him entertained. But

many

"A

heirs.

his

people expected him to

king without an heir

is

to produce

half a king," they declared.

went to Locrin and persuaded him

the elders

wed and

that

it

So

was time that he

chose a wife.

"Indeed, there are

many

fair

how

maidens. Pray,

should

chooser"

asked the king.

"Is there

no one among them

that

you could love?" they asked

in turn.

"No,"

said Locrin with a

But come,
over the

my good

rest?

broad smile, "for

advisers. Is there

all

of them please me.

one you would have

me

choose

Let us hear of it now."

"Gwendolen, daughter of Corineus, high king of Cornwall," they

answered. "There
is

no one

"Then

is

not another more

fitting in

all

the land, and there

prettier, lord."
I

must go

Cornwall, and there in

His advisers had not

see the

maiden." Thus Locrin journeyed to

summer he met Gwendolen

lied.

She was indeed

43

a beauts':

for the

Her

hair

first

time.

was red

as

Women

Warriors

copper, her eves were greener than the sea, and her skin was

blooming

lilies

proud

wed

as she

in the

was

summer

beautiful,

it

the

also as

him from asking

did not keep

to

her.

Corineus was pleased to join

and

was

sun. Loerin saw that she

though

like

was

a date

emony

in the

set.

Now,

his

daughter with Loerin

in marriage,

the custom in those days was to perform a cer-

same half of the year

which

in

was proposed,

it

else

bad

luck was believed to follow. So since the couple were betrothed in mid-

summer, they agreed to be wed before Samhain (autumn).

meantime Loerin was

In the

army

that threatened his lands.

waged on long

after

all

the

If

"It

is

home

Many

were

lives

summer blooms had

Corineus consulted with

Another time must be

called back

his daughter. "It

set for

is

to fight an enemv's
lost

laded.
a

bad omen,

fitting

to talk of

my

girl.

your wedding."

Gwendolen was troubled, she did not show

not

while the battle

weddings when there

and she

it,

is

said,

war to be

won, Father."
At

last

Loerin defeated the invaders, and the spoils of war were

and treasure

divided. Loerin took 2;old

as his rightful share

and was

also

who had been held captive on the enemy's

ship. Among them was a woman so exquisite that when Loerin saw her,
it seemed his heart stood still. He was told that her name was Estrildis
given the group of slaves

and that she had been stolen from her homeland

no other

Surely there can be

thought, for her skin

is

as

in far-off

the world, he

as lovely, as perfect in all

luminous

and her

as a pearl

Germany.

hair as

golden

as

wheat ripening under the shimmering sun.

^When Loerin addressed
lovely race in her slender
If

her, the delicate

hands and wept

he had been asked to choose from

him, he would have sladlv cast them

tary girl for his

From
side,

ing.

and

He

that

and gende

softly.

among

all

aside

girl

buried her

Locrin's heart melted.

all

the treasures before

and taken

this

one

soli-

own.

moment onward

Estrildis

his love for the girl only

grew

was seldom
until

it

tilled

far

him

decided that he must make her his queen. But

44

from Locrin's
to overflow-

when word of

G
his decision spread, his

not have

fruit

Gwendolen

away

Estrildis

There he created

safe.

and lush

people were opposed. "The high king should

foreigner and a slave for his queen,

So Locrin locked

would be

ten

trees.

In

whom

When Gwendolen

they insisted.

hidden sanctuary where she

splendid paradise with fragrant plants

then he visited her, while he took

secret

to be his bride and

powerful father,

in

11

queen to please

he had no wish to make

his

his

people and her

enemy.

kingdom, she turned watch-

arrived in Locrin's

jealous eyes everywhere, for she had heard the gossip. But she

ful,

uncovered no evidence to prove that Locrin was untrue, for he was

devoted husband.

dutiful,

everyone

else, that

And

so she

came

to believe, along with

he had sent the other away.

Years passed, and secretly Locrin continued to

visit his

true love.

Estrildis

gave him a daughter while Gwendolen gave him a son. Then

the time

came when Corineus

loss

of her

fear

was

father,

queen, for

Estrildis his

no longer

When
ers

as well.

was Gwendolen's grief at the

sincerely grieved for his friend, but a

At

last

he could make

now that the mighty

beloved

his

Corineus was gone he need

fear reprisal.

the period of mourning was over, Locrin

summoned

the eld-

am going to send Gwendolen away, and in her place I

make Estrildis my queen." This time when they begged him to

and

shall

and Locrin too

from him

lifted

died. Great

said, "I

reconsider, he refused.

When Gwendolen heard, she searched

and asked, "Am I no longer beautiful?"
lovely as ever.

But when

man's heart

is

her reflection in the mirror

It

was not

so; she

was

truly with another, there

as
is

nothing that can win him away.

Adorned

in her finest robes

and

jewels,

Gwendolen strode

king's great hall to confront her husband.

asked,

"What

you did not

rary.

Have

is

this

plan of yours, Husband?

say then to

me

or

my

Her

eyes flashed as she

When we

took our vows,

father that this marriage

not been a loving wife and given you

into the

was tempo-

son and heir

who

makes us both proud?"

Locrin saw her regal bearing and her iron

45

will,

and

his

thoughts

Women

went to
ing

Estrildis

and her

Gwendolen could

moment

soft voice

say or

do

Warriors

and gentle touch. There was noth-

that

would win him

to her, and at that

she saw the truth of it in his eyes.

Frustrated, she fought back the hot tears that threatened to well
in her eyes

am your queen and

you wed me. Would you cast me aside

and shouted, "Answer me, Husband!

of royal blood

now and

before

up

for a slave?"

Locrin was
I

silent for a

long time. At

last

would, lady," before he turned away from

Now vengeance
she replied, "So
to stop
cried,

you

filled

he answered heavily, "Aye,

her.

Gwendolen's mind and

believe that since

heart. In an icy voice

my father is dead,

there

is

no one

you from doing whatever you wish. Well, by the gods," she

"you

will find that there is!"

46

Gwi ndolen
That day she gave orders to

Then, sum

collect her belongings.

moiling her warriors and chariots, she

set

out that very night for

Cornwall, leaving nothing of hers behind.

Without thought to the consequences Locrin

Estrildis

and had her crowned

When Gwendolen
her, but she told

and he

brought

forth

queen.

his

arrived in Cornwall, her

them, "Shed no

tears for

me.

kinswomen wept

My

curse

for

on Locrin,

is

will pay."

Then

she ordered eraftsmen to fashion weapons and ehariots. She

chose the finest warhorses, claiming four of the best for her own.

Arming her warriors,

and short
mark;

all

Then
night,

she took for herself helmet and shield, long spears

swift spears,

long swords and a dagger that never missed

were bejeweled and

inlaid

she called the mighty

armed and

ready,

its

with gold.

men of Cornwall

and

to her,

Gwendolen and her army

in a fort-

attacked Locrin's

domain. Wherever they went they ravaged the land. The bards sang of

Gwendolen's triumph, and Locrin's

advisers pleaded with him, "Lord,

be quick! Remember, you are high king of all England.

before

too

it is

"How

can

Go

against her

late."

She has been

I?

my

wife,

and her son

is

mine

also," he

told them.

"None of that
all

matters now, lord," they insisted. "If you do not act,

the country will be destroyed. As king

to protect

you have the sovereign duty

it."

So with

summoned

heavy heart Locrin

went to meet the

force of Gwendolen.

his royal

war band and

Between Stour and the

river the

armies with thundering hooves and sharpened swords met and clashed,

and soon the green earth ran red with the blood. At
face-to-face with

you chose to go
"Indeed
darker one

it

Gwendolen and

said,

"Lady,

against the high king of

was, lord," answered

when you

cast

me

all

such a cause

as this.

The

was

aside for another."

quarrel

is

47

me

Locrin came

dark day

when

England."

Gwendolen

could hear: "It sickens

voice so that

all

it

last

to see

scornfully.

Then

my

"'Twas

she raised her

warriors die for

between the high king and the

Women
queen of Cornwall. Therefore,
while he and

meet

in single

Warriors

the armies put

let

was stricken

Both armies

fell

lady. If that

thought of fighting Gwendolen.

at the

king and queen, long swords in one

silent as the

but Locrin, the mighty warrior, today had no

dagger into

head from

his heart.

fiiry,

to fight this

Then, with her long sword, Gwendolen cut

body and

his

raised

drew Locrin's handsome

time. "For beauty,

this earth

would have parted

not one

With

to see.

equal. Gladly

moment and
yet,"

attend to."

one

lips

have

last

known

us."

He had

been

tie

the head by

a great king, they

among them blamed Gwendolen. Her

"Not

tears in her eyes,

and kissed those

face to hers

others wept as they watched her

locks to her chariot.

after a

all

his

but yours. If not for the wrong you did me, nothing on

lips

The

for

it

Husband, you had no

no man's

"Now, my

said,

lady,

is

Then

filled her.

"For

came forward

is still

one

last

thing to

summoned.

Estrildis for the first time, a

this pale creature,

long black

thought, but

all

captain

she had Estrildis and her daughter

saw

its

the matter done?"

Gwendolen answered. "There

When Gwendolen
curse

him

will in

with

filled

Quickly he was overcome, and in one swift stroke she drove her

fight.

anger

weapons

be your wish." But

hand, daggers in the other, clashed. Gwendolen was

she

their

combat."

Locrin sighed and said, "Very well,

his heart

down

Locrin threw

still

me

greater

away!

My

on you both."

Estrildis

covered her face and sobbed

at the sight

of her beloved

Locrin's head fastened to the queen's chariot and said not a word.

Then Gwendolen looked upon

daughter.

The onlookers were

beauty, for she was even

among them could

Severn,

Estrildis

and Locrin's

struck by the maiden's great unearthly

more

exquisite than her mother.

have willingly raised a hand against the

Not one
girl.

But

Gwendolen, powered by her hurt and vengeance, commanded that

both mother and daughter be drowned
battlefield.

ter

Only then did

Estrildis

in the river that ran

along the

speak out, begging that her daugh-

be spared. But the queen closed her ears to such pleas, saying, "I

concede only that from

this

day hence the great

48

river shall

be called

'en

Severn

in

her honor." Then she ordered that they both be cast into the

water, and thus the deed was

Estrildis died

to

live.

affair,

her.

As

done

as

she herself watched.

almost willingly, for with I.oerin gone she had no wish

for the

young innocent maiden who had no blame

the shining spirits that

They brought her

live

to their

beneath the waters took pity upon

own

crystal

world where none grows

old or sad. There she did not die but dwells

spirit

of Severn, the great

Gwendolen took

in this

river that bears her

in bliss as the

guardian

name.

Locrin's place and reigned as high queen of all the

land until her son reached maturity.

Then

she gave up that throne and

returned to Cornwall to rule until her death. Those

she never loved again.

49

who knew

her said

BOADICEA
The Woman with
the Sword
During

Roman

the

queens fought against the

who

Empire, a number of foreign

Roman

sat on the throne of Egypt,

and

neighboring kingdom of Ethiopia.

name came

to

mean "Woman

of 230,000 British

and

known

today

At

who

Iceni,

Qiteen Candace, who ruled the

And

men and women

the Ptolemys of Egypt.

queen of the

including Cleopatra,

then there was Boadicea.

with the Sword," for she raised an

Through her mother's royal lineage

Troy

rule,

to defy the

she

Her
army

mighty power of Rome.

claimed descent from the kings of

Her marriage

lived in Essex, Norfolk,

to

Arviragus made her

and Cambridgeshire

as East Anglia in England. This

is

her

story.

the age of forty Boadicea was at the height of her beauty

and the mother of two grown daughters, Tasca and Camorra.

She was
long red

hair.

and

tall

striking,

with penetrating green eyes and

Riding her chariot into

battle, she

wore

heavy gold tore

around her neck, and

mantle fastened with a brooch covered

of many colors. Such

courageous warrior queen was beloved by her

people. She inspired

them with

they took up arms against the

slaved
It

them

a tunic

a passion to reclaim their liberty,

and

Romans who had dominated and

en-

for seventeen long years.

was the

first

Greatly despised,

century A.D., and Nero was emperor of Rome.

Nero was

cruel

and greedy, but above

all,

he was

completely mad. Boadicea and her husband had an uneasy truce with
the emperor. For eleven years

Nero permitted them

wealthy Iceni nation, but they had to pay

to rule their

heavy yearly tax

in

gold for

the privilege. Then, in A.D. 61, Boadicea's husband suddenly died.

51

Women

Warriors

Without warning the Roman army invaded.

monarch's property and imprisoned

imposed on

all,

seized

It

Heavy

his relations.

the

Iceni

taxes

were

including the already overburdened poor.

When

Boadicea was unable to pay the large sums Xero demanded, she was

dragged out into the

Now

lated.

Her

destitute,

flesh

dom

way of

life

and whipped, and her daughters were

from the bloodv florins;, Boadicea went

"We

know

already

the difference between our

and foreign despotism, " she declared. "Isn't

better than slavery whatever the cost? If there

ing the

Romans

now

of liberty to our children,

gift

is

the time to fight.

The

how

run

from us when we show them our teeth!" Then she

a hare she

had concealed.

free-

any hope of leav-

is

are rabbits trying to rule over wolves. See

and released

vio-

Boadicea was burning for revenge.

stin^ins;

still

before her people.

ancient

street

they'll

raised her mantie

Terrified, the animal ran off,

hotly pursued by a pack of Boadicea's hounds.

Amid

cheers from the crowd, Boadicea called

summoned

the bountiful goddess Andraste and

were more than ready

Iceni
forces

for revolt,

were joined by patriots from

down

her people to

Victory suddenly turned

its

pedestal,

sions of

fell

its

parts of the island.

all

to pieces.

a statue

back on

Then

its

what was to

Roman

At

last

After this the

fear,

left

he chose

by the receding

tide.

but nothing had prepared them for

in

they marched on

Roman

who opposed

the near-

them. Battle

London and captured

the

city.

generals were too terrified to venture into

queen whose warriors

Roman

vastly

outnumbered

governor decided on

a plan. Carefully

valley to attack the Britons, a place

where Boadicea's

time the

narrow

all

down upon

and with each conquest Boadicea and her army

battle against the victorious

But

goddess

the sea turned blood-red, and impres-

colonies, putting to death

bolder.

theirs.

dis-

follow.

after battle followed,

grew

Roman

saw

worshipers and, tumbling from

In the dead of night Boadicea's army rushed

by

rebellion,

of the winded

dead horses and human bodies were

The Romans shuddered with

The

act.

and soon Boadicea and her

The Romans, though ignorant of the impending

mal omens of doom. One dav

the blessings of

army could not make good use of its superior numbers. Indeed, only

52

Boadicea

as

many

troops as could

fit

into the valley

any one time could engage

at

Romans" smaller number.

the

The morning

before the battle Boadicea rode her chariot around

her forces with both Tasca and Camorra by her side.

"Remember, my

beloved Britons," she called out, encouraging her warriors, "our

today sends
his slaves.

message to the

None of us

Roman

tyrant

will ever rest until

who

has tried to

fight

make

us

every Briton can throw off the

chains of slavery and again embrace liberty."

But the victory of that decisive

battle

went

Romans, and

to the

eager to avenge their past defeats, they slaughtered the Britons indiscriminately.

Though

Boadicea's army was decimated, she and her

daughters miraculously escaped the carnage.

Roman

historians

us that Boadicea took poison

tell

purest disdain for her enemy,

whom

a gesture

she despised, for suicide

of

among

the Celtic nobility was the only answer to defeat.

Although immediate retribution

cruel, the Britons refused to give in

and resume

Tasca, Boadicea's daughter, adopted her mother's

the fight. In time the

was

for the rebellion

Romans grew weary of the

life

as

it

swift

and

had been.

name and continued

relentless Britons, for

they saw that the stubborn rebels would no longer be intimidated by

force. Finally a

new Roman

improved conditions

for

rule instituted a policy of appeasement that

all

Britain.

So Boadicea did not

die in vain.

Tet there were those who swore that the beloved queen was deathless.
Mysteriously her body
the great queen.
dess

come

to

was never found, and legends sprang up concerning

Many declared

that Boadicea was a Celtic warrior god-

earth in the guise of a mortal solely

to

take up Britain's cause.

Today no one knows the whereabouts of the heroic queen's grave.

Stonehenge was once claimed as her monument.

haunts Epping
the mist

near

Forest,

still

in

is

in Lincolnshire.

not far from the queen's last

battle.

Perhaps she dwells

between dark forest and wild heartland, moving regally through

her tall timbered palace, as great

in

it is said,

1950 she was seen driving her chariot out of

Cammeringham

Epping Forest
there

and

Her ghost,

and bounteous a figure

life.

53

as ever she was

MELLA
Young Friend

of

the Python

This tale ofyomijj Mella's courage

role as tribal leader

is

In

home of reeds and

Mella

sat

He had
could barely

upon

fiber

tribe from

Zimbabwe.

on the edge of the

mat and held her

a grass

later her

based upon the oral history of the

Buhera Ba Roivzi

and

lush green forest,

once been the wise, strong leader of the

lift

his head.

rifices for his recovery.

The

The

hand.

ailing father's frail

tribe,

but

family had offered prayers and

tribal healers tried to

now

many

use their magic.

he

sac-

Thev

played music from their pipes and drums, but they could not rouse

him.

Day by day

his

condition worsened, and as he grew weaker, the

family began to prepare for his death. All, that

One

is,

night while the villagers were sleeping, Mella walked out into

The moon overhead

the forest, following the footpath to a clearing.

shone
light

like a

golden crescent

had been her guide.

Rambi, the merciful

moon

must do

to save

along the

moon-

she stopped and looked up at

Bomu

in the black velvet sky. All

Now

goddess.

Mella called out, "Please,

what

except Mella.

my

Bomu

Rambi, give

me some

sign to

show

father."

Suddenlv the wind swept through the

trees,

and the branches

gentlv swaved with the mysterious presence of the goddess. All at

once Mella heard the

soft

words of

Bomu Rambi

floating

toward

her on the wind. "You must go to the Python Healer," said the

moon

goddess.

Though

the night was

warm, Mella

shivered.

The Python Healer

struck terror into the villagers" hearts. His cave stood at the foot of a

55

Women
mountain

go

there.

Warriors

of the jungle, and no one dared

in the deepest, thickest part

Some

own

time ago Mella's

But they had

their father's sake.

him out

brothers had sought

tied in

for

horror from the entrance of the

python's cave, and returned to the village so terrified that they could

not speak of what they had seen.

Mella returned home, but she could not sleep. That night she made

up her mind to do
risk.

as the

moon

goddess had advised, regardless of the

At dawn she rose before everyone

else.

Quickly she gathered

few

things for her journey and set out.

She traveled day and night, passing ferns higher than her head,
climbing rock)'
all,

hills,

Through

crossing streams, sleeping in the open.

it

her thoughts were only of her father, and they gave her courage to

go on.
At

last,

with the

moon just a

faint sliver in the sky,

Mella came upon

the entrance to the cave of the Python Healer. She sucked in her breath

and stopped. For the

young

to run, the

first

time fear took hold. Fighting back the wish

struggled to steadv her voice as she called out,

girl

Bomu Rambi

"Python Healer, the merciful

Mella, and
is

gravely

The

come

to ask for your healing

has sent me.

power

to cure

My name

is

my father, who

ill."

jungle

fell silent.

Even the

birds

and the

crickets

were

Mella waited with only the sound of her pounding heart to

Then two emerald

still

as

listen to.

eyes shone from the darkness of the cave, and a

"How

voice thundered out,

is it

that the bravest of your village flee

from me, yet one small

girl

young

could crush you with

to realize that

comes asking

for favors? Child, are

my

you too

strangling coils?"

Mella swallowed, trying to steady her trembling. She raised her

head and gazed back

at the

huge shadow)' silhouette with

eyes. "I fear you, might)' healer.

prayed to

Bomu

But

Rambi, and she told

me

have nowhere

enough

to

do what

is

burning

else to go.

to seek your help."

"Your love for your father gives you courage,

brave

its

necessary? Will

little

you

one. But are you

let

me

coil

myself

around you?"

Though

she

knew

that she

was making herself easy prey

56

for the ser-

Mel In
pent, Mclla quickly agreed. "If this

my

ing

lather,

return for heal-

in

not refuse."

will

what you ask

is

At the same moment the clouds gathered overhead mk\ covered the

moon.

pale light of the

was blackest night

All

as the giant

ered out of the cave. Mella could see nothing

pent's hissing drew

upon her
around

face.

her.

python's

coils.

return with

The

At

and closer

closer

until she

him

village.

When

to

my

when

they

fear.

Mella!

It is

have carried the Python

father."

his neck.

them, and soon the vapors

He

filled

The Python Healer began

her father

fell

from the medicine pouch

instructed her to

make

a fire

the room, giving off a sweet,

to chant,

minutes, hours,

man moved

his feet.

oil

with

smoky

and slowly both Mella and

into a restful trance.

Time passed

slowly to

sit

it

was impossible to

up. After a few

say.

Then

the

moments longer he was

Mella could hardly believe her eyes; so many months had

passed with her father scarcely able to

is

beside the sick man, the Python Healer uncoiled, telling

he kept hung around

nightfall

the villagers saw the monster, thev ran

Mella to take healing bark and muchonga

And

was

It

weapons. But Mella called out to them, "Stop, do not harm

Once

"It

breath

home.

to her

Healer here to help

on

his

feel

In a hissing whisper the Python Healer told Mella to

You have nothing

ailing

could

ser

only Mella's head, arms, and legs were free of the

last

reached the

scent.

sound of the

serpent's weight was heavy, yet Mella struggled onward, fol-

for their
us!

slith-

Slowly he rose and began to wind himself around and

lowing the path with her head held high.

finally

as the

python

a miracle,'

lift

his head.

cried Mella's father as he

embraced

his

daughter.

turning to the Python Healer, he said, "Please stay with us so that

may

prepare a grand celebration in your honor."

The serpent made no

reply as he silently

around Mella once more. The young

girl

farewell to her father, she set out once

Healer back to

When

his

began to wrap himself

understood, and having said

more

to bring the Python

home.

they arrived, he said,

"Come

57

into

my

cave."

Women
Mella was past fear

after

all

Warriors

she had been through, and though she

did not relish the idea of seeing the broken remains of victims the

python had devoured, she followed him. As she went into the cave, her
eyes

widened with

ther,

surprise at a

and she saw that

glimmering

this light

light ahead.

came from

A few steps far-

mountain of shimmering

golden treasure. There were baskets and baskets overflowing with gold

and jewels of every

"You may

color.

take whatever

you

Python Healer, "for

like," said the

your courage should be rewarded."

Mella shook her head and
for healing

my

"All the

said, "It

is

you who should be rewarded

father."

same you

will take

something," the python

Mella made no move to do so, the python

said,

When

said.

"Here, then,

will

choose for you."

Then he went

to a large basket, and after a few

moments he drew

out a beautiful gold necklace from which hung an amulet of heavy gold
cut in the shape of the crescent

"You
Take

shall
it,

moon. Giving

have the symbol of the

child, as a

moon

to her, the serpent said,

goddess to remember

token of my friendship."

58

it

me

by.

Mclla

When

the people of the village heard what had happened, envy

entered the hearts of three men. They began to plot to

kill

the python

so that they could steal his treasure. By chance Mclla overheard them

scheming. Quickly she took her

bow and

Python Healer's cave, ready to give her

friend.

When

the

men

arrows and ran back to the

life

if

necessary to save her

arrived in the dead of night, they were

by the serpent and Mella.

All at

once thunder

met

rolled, fire burst forth

from the Python Healer's magic charms, and the men

fell

down dead

in fright.

In the years that followed, Mella lived with her father in great happiness.

And when,

people

made her

or

at last after a

long

full life,

leader of their tribe, for

more loving than

she.

59

Mella's father died, her

no one was more courageous

YAKAMI
Slayer of the
Ska Monster

The Japanese heroine Takanu

is

also the

name

of the divine princess mentioned in other Kojiki

from

Ancient Chinese legend

the island of Kyushu.

has the heroine Li Chi in a similar

Along

the coastline of

tale.

Kyushu where the waters of the

Yakami once

flow, there

tales

lived.

For

as

long

as the

Pacific

voting

girl

could remember, she had spent her days diving for pearls
the inlets along the shore.

It

was

worked

side

opened

to reveal a perfect pearl.

But

all

happy

life.

in

She and her friends

by side and shouted with joy each time an oyster was

this

came

to an abrupt

end when Yakami's parents were

arrested and sent to prison for speaking against those in power. Yakami

was shattered. The day her parents were taken away, Yakami's
gathered around her, but there was
soften the pain of her loss.
in,

but

Her

as

Many

time passed, the young

sole wish

little

anyone could do or sav to

in the village
girl felt

friends

would have taken her

she could no longer remain.

was to find her parents, and she had

a plan.

She went to the docks, looking for one of the fishermen to

hire her.

"On the island of Tei^ga," the child told the first fisherman she met,
"my parents are being kept prisoner. If you will take me there, I promise

to

work on your

fishing boat without pay."

The fisherman looked

"I

would

like

at

to help, but

this wild notion, child, for

vou can never

her sadly, and shaking his head, he replied,

my own
no one

family might suffer

will

succeed.'"

61

if I

did. Give

up

be fool enough to take you, and

Women

Warriors

Indeed the fisherman spoke the truth, for when the others working
along the dock learned what the child wanted, they

from

Yakami decided to take matters into her own hands.

her. Finally

When

grew dark

it

slipped into

down on

turned away

all

that

moonless night, she went back to the dock and

one of the small

her, she

fishing boats.

rowed out,

With only the

stars

looking

of hope that she would soon see her

full

parents again.
After days and nights of rowing she finally reached the island. But

when

she asked for news of her parents, people were too fearful even

Yakami looked around, not knowing

to discuss the matter. Anxiously

where to turn next, and saw

perched upon

cliff.

Though

suddenly thought that

for her,

could reach the shrine,

would work out

all

cliff

on the

she arrived at the top, Yakami saw that

far side there

drop to the sea below. The sea breezes were cool, and

a sheer

around the shrine were fragrant flowers. Comforted by

heaved

shrine

she was weary from her long journey, she

and so she began to climb the

When
was

if she

cedarwood

in the distance a small

of relief,

a sigh

sat

down

all

this,

she

to rest against a shade tree, and closed

her eyes.

She must have

saw

when

fallen asleep, for

a priest in dark robes beside a

she opened her eyes, Yakami

sobbing young

dressed in white.

girl

Unaware of Yakami's presence, they stood dangerously

edge of the
at the sea.

the

girl

their backs turned

cliff,

away from her

Then, to Yakami's horror, the

priest

as

close to the

they gazed

made

move

down

to push

off the cliff Yakami cried out, causing the priest to stop and

look back

at her.

"Child, please do not interfere," the priest said to Yakami. "This

girl

has been chosen to be sacrificed to the dragon living beneath the

sea.

Long ago

ster.

So long

sea, the

the people

as

dragon

on the

once a year on

this

appeased and

will

is

"Let her go," said Yakami. "I

have nothing
next

island

made

a bargain

day we cast

young

girl

mon-

into the

not destroy everyone living here."

will take

her place.

no family any longer, no home to

moment,

with the

call

am

all

alone; I

my own." The

before the priest could reply, to his and the other

62

girl's

"

astonishment Yakami dived off the

cliff

and plunged into the water.

She was no stranger to the ocean; indeed

to her. All her years of diving for pearls had

it

was

made

like a

her

second

powerful swim

mer, and her lungs were used to the deep waters. Yakami

drop down, down, down to the very depths of the

the sandy floor, she

between her

sea.

will

me

first.

The next second Yakami saw

palace with towering coral

magnificent crystal

From

pillars.

within,

two
{

eyes burning like

ready,
its

fire

stared at her. There, coiled and

was the monstrous dragon.

enormous

scaly

Yakami, and she

hulk was not

easily

It

sprang out, but

quick as the agile

as

escaped the

first

in surprise

and struck out

at

Old

attack.

and unused to fighting, the dragon shook

head

herself

drew out her hunting dagger and clenched

teeth.

have to fight

let

As she reached

"If the dragon wants to devour me," she told herself,

"he

home

its

ugly

her again. But

Yakami swam above the dragon's head, and then,

with her dagger poised, she came

down

to stab

in the neck.

Over and over she drove

in the

dagger

until

dark green blood flowed from the wounds,

it

it


Women

Warriors

turning the water almost black. Blinded by the darkness, unable to find
its

tiny adversary, the

dragon whirled around and around. Swiftly

tak-

ing the advantage, Yakami struck again and again, this time driving the

dagger into the dragon's heart.

a

few brief moments the dragon

At the surface the

priest

It all
fell

happened so very

and

in

had watched intently

as

dead before

and the young

the water turned almost black, and then

girl

to

quickly,

her.

their utter

amazement

there was Yakami.

The news of Yakami 's triumph spread

Soon

islands.

remarkable

doing

there was not a person

girl

who had

won them

reached those

were held. As

all

who was

not talking of the

boldly conquered the deadly dragon and in so

freedom from

officials in

quickly throughout the

its evil

power. Indeed the news even

charge of the prison where Yakami's parents

reward for her great bravery,

a decree

was signed

releas-

ing both her parents so that they could be reunited with their child.

Together

at last,

they were never again to be parted until the end of

their days.

Long

after she

courage was often

was gone from

told.

had her name carved on

the island, the famous tale

The tiny cedarwood shrine on top of the

it for all to see,

gathered on the anniversary of that day

Selfless

ofYakami's

and year

64

after year the islanders

to celebrate the girl they called the

One, the Courageous One, who had done

the island.

cliff

so

much for

the people of

A NOTE ABOUT NATIVE

AMERICAN WARRIORS

Warfare for many Native American

tribes

was considered an

exciting, though dangerous, sport. In fact, on the battlefield Native

American warriors were not unlike medieval knights at a tournament,

for in both cases their honor, courage,

many

In

tribes,

and

were

skill

untried youth earned the eagle feather,

a symbol of coming of age, through success on the

Killing was not necessary

counting coup (pronounced

opponent without taking a

not fatal, but

it

KOOj

life.

The custom of

was an opportunity

The warrior, using a curved couping

warriors also killed in such

contests,

the goal in warfare. To bring death to

an

was unthinkable and achieved only dishonor for

At

to best one's

did gain honor for the warrior and disgrace for the

Of course

was not

to gain honor, however.

battlefield.

tapped his or her opponent while in combat. The tap was

stick, lightly

recipient.

tested.

the

same

time, if too

lost in battle,

many

but killing

entire tribe
the victors.

of one's own warriors were

even if the outcome resulted in victory,

a leader

lost the respect

of the group.

Leaders attracted followers with their valor

and

good medicine" (personal power). The leader did not

actually

command

or

demand

obedience;

what kept a war

party loyal was the leader's prestige and charisma. Otherwise, the
warriors followed their

own

codes,

for a war party was not

regimented as were armies of the European

65

colonists.

WINYAN OHITIKA
Woman

Brave

of the Sioux

The Hitnkpapa are a part of the Lakota Sioux, who

comprise the Seven Tribes, or Ochcti Shakowin (Seven Campfires).

They are the hard-riding

nomadic culture of the

the sacred pipe

white

Red Knights

settlers, the

and

tepee, the dog,

and go on

of the Prairie,

and

was

theirs

later the horse. They

the

pray with

sacred vision quests. Originally friendly to the

Lakota were finally forced

defend their

to fight to

ancient hunting ground. The Lakota warriors fought their last

battle,

against impossible odds, at

More

Wounded Knee

in 1890.

than a hundred years ago a Sioux Indian tribe called

Hunkpapa

the

Lake

lived at Spirit

called Minnesota. Their chief,

been an unbeatable warrior, and

in old

in the land that

up to

their father's reputation, but

deeds of such a noble hero.

age he was revered for his great

fought well, but in the end one

battle.

and

Now only the

in those days she

Many

a chief's

strong warrior

band

until I

all

tried to

was no easy task to match the

they recklessly fought the

The young men were brave and

after the

other they

all

were

killed in

daughter remained. She was proud and beautiful,

was

called

Makhta.

son wished to wed Makhta.

named Red Horn, who

Makhta refused

it

One by one

Sioux's lifelong enemy, the Crow.

now-

Tawa Makoce, had once

wisdom. The chief had three sons and one daughter. The sons
live

is

asked

One of them was

many

marriage proposals, saying, "I

times for her. But

will

not take

a hus-

have avenged the death of my three brothers."

Another young man,

he was not the son of

Little Eagle,

a chief.

He was

tinguished himself on the battlefield.

67

as well.

But

shy and poor and had not

dis-

wished to marry her

Though he watched Makhta from

Women
and loved her deeply,

afar
little

Warriors

Eagle

Little

knew

too well that he had

all

chanee of winning the chief's daughter.

Crow Nation wished

In those days the

to lay claim to the banks of

the upper Missouri, an area the Sioux occupied and called their own.

When

Crow mounted

the

party to face their

Little

Eagle were

an attack, the Sioux assembled a mighty war

enemy and

among them. Makhta

wearing a necklace of beautiful

with you," said the

girl.

^ nen

shells,

The

fight with the others.

old chiefs eyes

her brave words.

I

have lost

How vou

my

went to

me

Do

Makhta took her

are

name of my dead

battle

brothers'

Crow

people's

number

have.

all I

know

with

fear

said. "I will

my

far

will ride

brothers

pride at

felt

shall lose

vou too,

as

made

up.

not stop vou. Take

mv

mind

that your

is

blessing."

weapons and her

warbonnet and rode out with the

the

them. "I

not prevent me."

of myself," he

warbonnet, and go into

join

they refused her offer, Makhta went to

other children. Yet

remind

Red Horn and

with tears of sorrow, but he

filled

"Now you

back.

dressed in her best clothes and,

the old chief. "Father,"" said she, "in the

must go

them

try to force

warriors.

father's best horse

The war

and

party found that

exceeded their own, but they bravely

advanced. With the fearless Makhta riding alongside them, what war-

could think of retreat?

rior

As they proceeded, she gave her

Red Horn. "Count coup

him.

To

Little

"Count coup

in

my

eldest brother's lance

eldest brother's

name," she

Eagle she gave her second brother's

for

my middle

Sioux's

the

shrill

songs. But

fighting

shield to
called to

bow and

arrows.

brother," she said. For herself she kept her

youngest brother's war club and her father's old couping

When

and

stick.

began, Makhta hung back and made the

war crv to urge the warriors on by singing bravehearted

when

she saw that they were losing the battle, she joined

the fighting.

Now Makhta chose

not to

again, she used her father's

tion she boldly rode

kill

her enemy. Risking her

couping

stick,

and

in the old

up and tapped one Crow warrior

so doing, she brought

down upon them

68

life

time and

Sioux tradi-

after another. In

utter disgrace but not death.

Winy a n Ohitika
The

of Makhta challenging the Crow

sight

stronger, and they fought

all

made

the

Then Makhta's

ground amid the

the

fighting, defenseless.

Then

and gave her

him

Little

his horse.

eall

a\\<\

they con-

wounded, and she

horse was

her distress, but she was too proud to

passed her.

feel

the harder against the crushing odds.

Nonetheless, the Crow's numbers were too great,

tinued to advance.

Sioux

fell

to

Red Horn rode by and saw

out to him for help, and he

Eagle came riding toward her.

Makhta mounted and

He dismounted

called to him, expecting

to join her. But he refused, saying, "This horse

is

too weary from

fighting to carry us both." Before she could insist, he struek the horse's

rump, causing

it

to bolt, as he had intended.

tinued to tight on the ground.

time the

was the

It

Then he turned and conshe saw him, for in no

last

Crow brought him down.

As the hours of fighting passed, the Crow began to

was the chance Makhta had hoped
Sioux behind her.

rallied the

they

mounted

until they

a fresh attack.

for.

Now, with

the forces gathered together,

Inch by inch they pushed the

won

This was a decisive battle, for the

returned to try to invade Missouri

Among

cost

many

who

gave up his horse and his

vived,

There they

him

his

as a great warrior. In

Eagle,

Makhta

body onto

many

welcomed

World

prayers,

widow

as

mourning

for Little

tore her dress and cut off

long

as she lived.

The Sioux renamed

Makhta Winyan
Ohitika,

"brave

meaning

woman."

know-

69

sur-

failing to aid her.

a tall scaffolding.

into the Spirit

her hair, and asked that she be treated as

his

But Red Horn

bow, scorning him for

to rest with

ing that he would be

never again

Yet such a great victory

to save Makhta.

life

raised Little Eagle's

laid

the battle.

Crow Nation

territory.

Crow back

the fallen was the brave warrior Little Eagle,

and the Sioux broke

Then they

behind. This

Calling out a wild war cry, she

drove them off their lands and

lives.

tall

ALIQUIPISO
The Girl
Saved Her
Though today no

specific

courageous heroine as

this

of her

selfless

Oneida

people.

Who
Tribi

Native American nation claims

own, in the early 1900s the story

its

bravery was attributed

to the oral tradition

of the

The Oneida, the People of the Rock, originally lived

near Oneida Lake in

New

York,

and

they are one of the original

Five Nations of the Iroquois League. Interestingly, like the Celts, the

Oneida trace

their descent through the mother,

they lived in were

Long

owned

and

women of the

by the

before the colonists settled in the

called the

Mingoes threatened

in battle

lay deserted, their

The

nation.

New

World,

Aliquipiso's people.

over the Mingoes attacked her people's

and boys

the longhouses

Over and

villages, killing

and kidnapping the womenfolk. At

homes burned

a tribe

last

men

the villages

to ashes, and the fields were tallow.

survivors fled into the forest and took shelter in a remote

mountain

cave.

The Mingoes went

them. For a time the survivors were

searching, but they could not find

safe,

but

if

they

left

their shelter to

search for food, they risked being caught and killed.

The remaining warrior

to decide

chiefs

ward. "Last night," she

shown me

way

in council

good

spirits

sent

me

came

dream

for-

that has

to save our people."

help? thev wondered.

I

met

a girl barely eleven years old,

said, "the

The group of men looked

dream

tribe

what must be done. But time passed, and no one could think

of a solution. Then Aliquipiso,

girl

and elders of the

was given to

The

at Aliquipiso doubtfully.

How

could

eldest chief asked her to explain. "In

see that above

71

where we

this

my

are hiding there are

Women

Warriors

hundreds of giant boulders and rocks,"

is

right,

"When

said the girl.

the time

our warriors must stand ready to throw these rocks down upon

the Mingoes."

"That

is all

very well, child, but

how

will

we

get our

enemy

to that

spot?" asked the old chief.

"I will let the
reveal

Mingoes capture me, and when they demand

our hiding place,

them our warriors

The

will

will lead

them

to the place

that

where high above

be waiting to crush them."

council listened to the

girl's

plan in amazement. "Truly the

Great Spirit speaks through you," observed the old chief, "but,
Aliquipiso,

do you understand

that

this

brave

deed

will

mean

your death?"
"Like any brave warrior,
people," the

am

not afraid to give

my

life

for

my

girl replied.

"We, your

grateful people, will not forget

old chief, and the entire council agreed.

72

your courage," said the

Aliquipiso

That night

alone the

all

climbed

girl

to the forest below. In the early

wandering

the

in

wood

before their chief, he

people are hiding.

you

refuse,

you

If

will

as if

down

morning

she were

you do^ we

Mingo

the

When

lost.

commanded, "Show

the steep

us the

mountain

scouts found her

they brought her

way

to

adopt you into our

will

be tortured until death

will

cliff

seem

like a

where your
But

tribe.

if

mercy from

your suffering."

Knowing

would doubt her

that they

Aliquipiso vowed, "I will never

So the Mingoes

By

tell

if

she gave in too

easily,

you."

tied Aliquipiso to a post

and burned her with

tire.

even her torturers were awed by her endurance and

nightfall

courage. At

last

"I can stand

no more

Aliquipiso pretended to weaken. "Please," she eried,

pain.

will tell

you everything, only do not hurt

me anymore."
Then

Mingoes took her from the post and

the

behind her back. Pushing her ahead of them, they warned,

to break free, or

we

will kill

.Aliquipiso led the

crept forward.

hands

tied her

"Do

not try

you."

way while the

Under cover of night

rest

of the war party soundlessly

they moved, following the young

through pine groves and on hidden deer paths, along streambeds

girl

and swamps.
At dawn Aliquipiso came to

come

"Closer,

closer,"

a halt

beneath

whispered the

girl

cliff of sheer rock.

high

to the others.

The Mingoes

"my

gathered around her. "Thinking themselves safe," she whispered,

people are sleeping above us." Then, pointing to
the

she said, "Here, look! This

cliff,

straight

up the mountain

Now

is

a spot

side

the seeret path that will lead

hardly had time to cut her

enemy

down

has come!"

before the rocks

came raining down upon them, crushing everyone. So many died

morning

people and

that the rest of the invading

finally retreated to their

Aliquipiso's courage, the

you

in a tight circle, sud-

denly Aliquipiso cried out in a piercing voice, "The

that

of

to them."

with the Mingoes crowded around her

The Mingoes

on the

band gave up tormenting her

own

lands.

Indeed, thanks to

Mingoes never made war on her people

73

there

again.

Women
Thereafter, her story

around
tion

life

told

and

retold wherever her people gathered

their campftrcs to speak of their history. Generation after genera-

know

tribe.

was

Warriors

the story of the gentle girl whose sacrifice

And

the holders of their history say that

her

when Aliqnipiso gave her

that day, the Great Spirit changed her hair into woodbine vines,

believed to be good medicine by her people.

on

and bravery saved

to say,

flower

is

honeysuckle bloomed,

called the blood of brave

From

and among

woman

74

her fallen body, they go

her people even today this

in loving

memory of her.

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
AFRICAN
Arnott, K. African Myths and Legends Retold. London: Oxford University Press, 1962.
Itayemi, P. and

Gurrey. Folktales

P.

and

Fables.

New

York: Penguin. 1953.

AMAZONIAN
Salmonson,

Jessica

Tyrrell, Blake ^Yilliam.

Hopkins

New York:

A. The Encyclopedia ofAmazons.

Amazons: A Study

in

Paragon House, 1991.

Athenian Mythmaking.

New York:

Johns

University" Press, 1984.

BRITISH
Ashe, Geoffrey. Mythology of the British

Dumezil, George. Archaic

Roman

Isles.

London: Methuen, 1990.

Religion, vol.

1.

Chicago: University of Chicago

Press. 1970.

Spence, Lewis. Boadicea. Warrior Queen of the Britons. London: Robert Hale.

CELTIC
Campbell,

J.

F.

Popular Tales of the West Highlands 1860

Aldershot, U.K.:

Wildwood House, 1983.

Chadwick, Nora.

TJje Celts.

New York:

Penguin, 19~0.

The Druids. Cardiff, L\K.: Cardiff University Press, 1966.

MacCulloch,

New

Gray.

J.

C. Celtic Mythology, vol. 3, Mythology of All Races, ed. Louis Herbert

York:

Markale, Jean.

Cooper Square

Women

of the

Celts.

Publishers, 1964.

Rochester, Yt.: Inner Traditions International,

1986.

GENERAL
Bell.

A Biographical Dictionary. Santa

Robert E. Women of Classical Mythology

Barbara, Calif:

ABC-CLIO USA,

Bonnefoy, Yves. Mythologies:

1991.

A Dictionary, vol.

1.

Chicago: University of Chicago

Press. 1991.

Clayton, Ellen. Female Warriors, vol.

Gaster,

Theodor H. Die

Guirand, Felix, ed.

1.

London: Tinsley Brothers, 1879.

Oldest Stories in the World.

New Larousse Encyclopedia

Landon, Stephan H. Semitic Mythology,

New

York: Viking, 1952.

vol. 5,

of Mythology.

London: Larousse. 1960.

Mythology of All Races, ed. by J.C.

MacCulloch. New York: Cooper Square Publishers, 1964.

Monaghan,

Patricia. TJje

Book of Goddesses and Heroines.

Publications, 1990.

>

St. Paul,

Minn.: Llewellyn

Newark, Tim. Women Warlords:

An

Illustrated Military History ofAncient

Medieval Female Warriors. London: Blandford,

and

19.S9.

Simck, Rudolf. Dictionary of Northern Mythology. Suffolk, U.K.:

Press, 1993.

St.

Edmundsbury

INDIAN
Buitenen,

A. B. van. MahabharatOj vols.

J.

.md

Chicago: University of Chicago

2.

Press, 1973.

Cavendish, Richard. Mythology.

New

York: Rizzoli, 1980.

Keith, A. Berriedale. Indian Mythology, vol. 6, Mythology ofAll Races, ed.

J.

MacCulloch. New York: Cooper Square Publishers, 1964.

(T Flaherty, W. D. Hindu Myths. New York: Penguin, 1975.

Subramaniam, Kamala. Ramayana. Bombay: Bharatiya Yidya Bhavan, 1983.

JAPANESE
Anesaki, Masaharu. Japanese Mythology, vol. 8, Mythology of All Races, ed.

MacCulloch.

New

Cooper Square

York:

J.

C.

Publishers, 1964.

Seki, Keigo. Folktales of Japan. Chicago: University

of Chicago Press, 1963.

NATIVE AMERICAN
Alexander, Hartiey B. North American Mythology,
J.

C. MacCulloch.

New

York:

Cooper Square

vol. 10,

Mythology of All Races, ed.

Publishers, 1964.

Parsons, E. C. Pueblo Indian Religion. Chicago: University- of Chicago Press, 1939.

Spence, Lewis. Myths and Legends of the North American Indian. London: Harrap,

1914.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
For help and research
Brian K. Styles,

Mary

mation for

book

this

am

indebted to Judy Levin,

Fletcher, Barrie Kavasch,

from the following places:

Andrew

and Tanya Pond,

New York

J.

D.

who

Bowman, and
gathered infor-

Society Library;

New York

Public Library; Neilson Library, Smith College; Institute of Native American Studies;

Marion and Knox Count}', Ohio,

Libraries;

Ohio

State University; Selover Public

Library in Chesterville, Ohio; and the Internet. Special thanks to Paul Pontois for
calling

my

warriors,
editor,

attention to a

which may find

number of

their

Andrea Schneeman,

way

for her

excellent stories involving French

into a subsequent collection.

ongoing support.

77

Thanks

female

also to

my

INDEX
For more information about
boldfaced, see their

main

Bomu

names are

those whose

Rambi, 55-56;

moon

goddess of the

Buhera Ba Rowzi people

entry.

43-53; island in northwestern

Europe that includes England, Wales, and

Britain, 10, 37,

Alexander the Great, 24; King of Macedonia

from 336 to 323 B.C., whose empire extended

Scotland

from the south coast of Spain to northwest

Brunehaut, 10; regional French queen and

of Fredegonde

India
Aliquipiso, 9, 11, 70-74; legendary Native

American
her

life

girl (tribe

unknown) who

maidens) of many Norse

who became a
own band of

up her immortality

swashbuckling leader of her

pirates (lived

Amazons,

around the ninth century)

fight

the

first

to

tell

Geoffrey of
Britain;

Camilla, 8;

tame horses and

Amazons and

them, offering

sacrifices to the "Beautiful

"The

10; Nigerian

Marcellinus, 37; fourth-century

historian

Anat, 10; multifaceted Assyro- Babylonian deity

was invoked

in times

name

of war

commander,

exists

who

Virgil in The

Aeneid

as

gallant Volscian

who

remitted the tribute.

nunnery who craved adventure, she traveled to

the New World and wrote a book about her

little

about him; he

survives today in a wealth of legends

exploits. Also

and

known

as the

Lieutenant Nun,

she lived 1585-1650.

Caterina Sforz, 10; bold ruler of Flori, Italy (lived

stories.

Arviragus, 51; king of the Iceni and husband of

Boadicea; also known

as

around 1483)
37^11, 53, 71; a nomadic people
originally from the great plains of Central Asia

Prasutagus

Celts, 7, 8, 31,

Asia Minor, 25, 31; ancient region including

who

migrated from 1500 to 900 B.C., they

were ultimately to occupy the whole of
Europe. Their laws and customs reveal an

modern-day Turkey and portions of the

Middle East
Assyria, 8, 10, 21-24; ancient Middle Eastern
kingdom located in what is now northern Iraq
and southeastern Turkey
Astarte, 24; Semitic "Venus" goddess, also
known as Ishtar, worshiped throughout the
Assyro-Babylonian world
fertility,

Brutus

Catalina de Erauso, 10; a Basque runaway from a

figures of the popular imagination in history.

documentation

Roman

the Italian leaders

Octavius in Rome,

Arthur, King, 31; one of the most powerful

historical

king of

In turn she sent an embassy to the then ruling

Ankt, 10; Egyptian war goddess

sixth-century Roman-British

as the first

lass/Who bravely did

command the horse/ With troops that shin'd
in brass." She lived around 1240 B.C.
Camorra, 51, 53; warrior daughter of Boadicea
Candace, 51; queen who ruled Ethiopia at the
time of Cleopatra. Candace invaded a portion
of Egypt and compelled Roman garrisons to
surrender. Later the Romans fought back, and
a heavy tribute was imposed on her kingdom.

expansionist queen of the province of Zazzua

Andraste, 52; Celtic war goddess whose

among

She was described by

built shrines to

Ones."

Roman

Monmouth

gathered together to expel invading Trojans.

on horseback; the Greeks feared the

Ammianus

for aiding

not to be confused with the assassin of

Julius Caesar, the

us that the

ghosts of slain

Amina Sarauniya Zazzua,

punishment

Brutus, 43; father of Locrin, also recorded by

25-29, 31; legendary race of

women warriors, independent of nation or
government, who ruled over a large area of

Asia Minor. Ancient writers

as

the hero Sigfred against Odin's wishes.

7,

Amazons were

tales. The daughter of

god Odin, she was forced to give

the great war

Swedish princess

rival

534-613)

Brunnhilda, 10; one of the Valkyries (warrior

sacrificed

to save her people

Alvild, 10;

(lived

healing,

as the deity

women

were

other things, equal

China, 8, 11; country occupying

a large

portion

of eastern Asia
city

Chiyome, 11; Ninja-styled assassin/warrior who

on the

trained other girls to be Kunoichi, "deadly

height in the seventh and

flowers" (lived around 1561)

Cleopatra, 8, 51; a gifted leader, this Egyptian

sixth centuries B.C.

Boadicea, 8-10, 50-53; queen of the Iceni

led her people against the

unique. Celtic

among

ownership of property with men.

of love,

Euphrates River that was a center of commerce

at its

harmony between men and

is

that

entitled to,

and war

Babylon, 10, 24; ancient Assyrian

and culture

equality and

women

Romans

queen manipulated powerful Roman

who

rulers to

her advantage, ultimately reigning successfully

(died in the

year 60)

for over

78

twenty years (lived 69-30

B.C.)

Cornwall, 43, 4749;

peninsula

in

southwestern

India, 10, 17-19; country in southern Asia

Cuchulain, 3941; also

known

as the

Ulster, a Celtic semilcgendary

hero

Hound of
who risked

Indus River, 24, one of the world's longest,

37-41; one of the

by war goddess Morrigan tor

Isabella Clara Eugenia, 10;

governor of the

Main Spanish

Spanish Netherlands until 1643

al-Kahina, 10; leader of the North African

poems

army of Jews,
and Byzantines to victory over
invading Muslim forces lived around 689
Derceto, 21; goddess who gave birth to

praised her

skills,

which included

Jerna tribe, she led an

archery. She was

Christians,

Penthesilca, and Camilla.

Italy,

compared

to

Semiramis,

10, 25; country in southern

Japan, 8,

Semiramis

61-64;

1,

a cluster

Europe

of islands off the

coast of eastern Asia

Devi, 8, 9, 10, 12-15;

Hindu goddess with

Joan of Are,

thousand arms, each one bearing a different

weapon; she is often depicted riding a tiger,

by

for her

Egypt, 10, 51; country

in

God

who

girl

1412-1431)
Hindu goddess of the night

northeast Africa

41 4 9; daughter of the king of

Germany, who became the mistress of Locrin
Ethiopia, 10, 24, 51; country in eastern Africa

Kojiki tales, 61; considered one of the

Fredegonde, 10; French regional queen, also

known as Bloody Fredegonde, who feuded

Kyushu, 61; southernmost of the four

queen Brunehaut for over forty

545-597)
Freya, 10; Norse goddess of war, wife of Odin,
and ruler of death. She was the leader of the
Valkyries, immortal warrior maidens who

Li Chi, 8, 11, 61;

first

written records of stories, myths, and histories

from the Japanese

islands

rival

years (ruled

oral tradition
largest

of Japan
Chinese heroine whose story

of bravery closely
heroine

parallels that

of the Japanese

Yakami

Lochlyn, Lady, 7, 30-36; fictional warrior

inspired battling warriors and carried dead

Scathaeh

home of Asgard. The sixth

day of the week, Friday, is named for her.
Geoffrey of Monmouth, 43; bishop-elect of St.
Asaph, North Wales, best known as the

Locrin,

43^9;

king of a large portion of Britain,

then called Loegria, from 1085-1075 B.C.

Mababharata, 17; one of two major ancient

Hindu

chronicler of semilegendary figures such as

epics

Maria de Estrada, 11; famed for her

King Arthur, Locrin, and Gwendolen,

swordsmanship, she traveled to Mexico

whose

conquistador

Regum

were

first

recorded

in his Historia

Britanniae. Completed in 1136,

later inspired

(lived

it

such writers as Malory,

Hernando

as a

Cortes's army

around 1519)

banks

Amazon queen who founded

Amazon capital city on the
of the Thermodon Riv er, as well as

other

cities in

Themiscyra, the

Germany, 10, 44; country in central Europe

south of the North Sea, Denmark, and the

Asia Minor. She carved out a

passage over the Causasus Mountains by

fighting hordes of desperate mountaineers.

Baltic Sea

Mount Marpesia was named

Gwendolen, 9, 10, 4219; princess of Cornwall

and first queen of a large portion of Britain
(ruled 1075-1060 B.C.)
Hades, 29; the underworld (home of the dead)
in Greek and Roman myth; also the name of

Mella, 8, 9, 10, 5459; heroine

tale

for her.

who

from the Buhera Ba Rowzi

appears in a

tribe

from

Zimbabwe
Minnesota, 67;

state in the

north central United

States

ruler

Herodotus, 21, 27; Greek historian known as

the Father of History, who traveled widely
throughout the Mediterranean world (lived
about 490-120

in

Marpesia, 27;

Tennyson, Shakespeare, and Dryden. Geoffrey

of Monmouth lived 1129-1155.

its

woman

inspired by the Celtic warrior goddess

heroes to the gods'

lives

at

Kenau and Amaron Haselaar, 10; sisters who

took up swords in defense of the Dutch city of
Haarlem (lived about 1526-1588)

own.

Estrildis,

with

led a

(lived

Kalatri, 13;

buffalo god. After Devi defeated him,

name

young peasant

the urging of "voices" she believed were sent

accompanied by her eight demonesses

8, 13-15; once the name of the evil

she took his

8;

French army into several successful battles

Durga,

Hindu

British Isles, west

of the island of Britain

refusing her favors.

Damia

[imalayaa

Ireland, 10,

mortals, yet he was later

in\ incibic against

it

(lows through India, Pakistan, and the

his life to seek training from the great warrior

goddess Scathaeh. Her teachings made him

doomed

queen. Bo.ulicc.i

their

England

Missouri River, 68; river

and
in

Montana
Missouri territory, 68, 69; region in central

B.C.)

Hiera, 7, 9, 10, 26-29; fictional

in the central

northwestern L'nited States that originates

Amazon queen

North America incorporated into the United

1821

51-53; an ancient people of easternmost

Britain who revolted against Roman rule under

States in

Iceni, 8,

Morgan

79

le

Fay, 31; believed to be

descended

from the Celtic

She

deities

Morrigan and Macha.

Monmouth's

goddess, inspiration for the

Schwarze Hofmannin, 10;

appears in Geoffrey of

first

immortal from the

Vita Merlini as an

Avalon valued for her powers

made her

the magic arts; later writers

Isle

in healing

Farm Woman, she

of

and

defended her

around 1525

(lived

Scotland, 10, 31-36, 43; the northern peninsula

the half

of King Arthur. Over the centuries

Morgan's character was distorted and debased.
Morrigan, 8, 10, 3941; Celtic goddess of war,

of the

sister

sometimes known

Lady Lochlyn
known as Black

successfully

from attack

village

also

of Britain

isle

Semiramis, 8, 10, 20-24; semilegendary queen

of Assyria, founder of the Golden Citv of

Babylon

Queen of Nightmares.
Morrigan often appears with her sisters, Bodb
(also a war goddess) and Macha (the horse
as

Septimia Zenobia, 8, 10; third-century queen of

Palmyra. She marched on Egypt, conquering

When

it

goddess), depicted as warlike furies or crows

and half of Asia Minor.

who

Palmyra independent from the ruling Romans,

urge warriors to fight. In

TIjc

History of

Emperor Aurelian challenged and conquered

Ireland, by

John Keating, all three sisters are

goddesses of an ancient Faerie race believed to
be some of the earliest settlers in Ireland.

Mu

Lan, 11; maiden of Chinese folklore

the ambitious queen; but instead of taking her

life, he provided Zenobia with a palace in
which to live out her life in luxury.
Severn, 48-^9; illegitimate daughter of Locrin

who

disguised herself as a warrior so she could save

her father from combat

Nero, 5 1 first-centurv
;

for

Xg

many

acts

by Estrildis. The

Roman

of cruelty during

martial art

form

called Shaolin

around 1600)
Nineveh, 23; one of the oldest

his reign

who

Shiva, 13;

Temple boxing

Skye,

cities in

about 3000

lived

Russia) for thirty-four years, she established a

She

centuries (lived

Teoyamiqui, 11; Aztec war goddess

Troy, 5

ancient city in northwestern Asia

Minor, besieged by Greeks during the

890-969.

legendary Trojan
for her beauty

Amazon

Asia and southeast Europe

and military

\ 'ictory, 52;

daughter and heir to Queen Marpesia

Greek and Roman winged goddess

of victory

in war, as well as the victory

own ego

wealth)- city that lay at the center of an

one's

important trade route

Greek myth,

queen who led the Amazons in

against the Athenians. During
battle, she was killed by Achilles, and after her
death the power and prestige of the Amazons

Penthesilea, 27;

century

in

by a

poet about the Trojan

11,

first-

War

66-69; legendary

daughter of a Sioux chief who avenged her

brothers' deaths

Wounded Knee,

group of eighteen Hindu epics

Rangada (Malha), 10, 16-19; Hindu warrior
led her people

which

through successful hunts

a devastating

state in India (died

companv of

pupil of

Czechoslovakia

Zimbabwe,

led a

district in

1890

who slew a sea monster

Yim Wing Chun, 11; Chinese nun who
developed her own system of martial

1240

and of Hinduism

who

Yakami, 8, 11, 60-64; legendary Japanese

most

Sanskrit, 13; ancient classical language of India

Sarka, 10; ancient warrior

between

number of the Native

Americans were massacred

Raziya, 10; sultana of Delhi, once the

Teutonic knights.

battle of, 67; barde

United States troops and the Sioux during

battles

named

Roman

Win\ an Ohirika iMakhtai,

declined.

is

\ "ictoria in

over

wisdom Xike
Roman myth

that leads to

Virgil's Aaicid. 8; great epic written

War

Pitranas, 13; a

powerful

War

Turkey, 10, 25; country that bridges southwest

Palmyra, 8; during the third century in Arabia, a

and

a half

Tasca, 51, 53; warrior daughter of Boadicea

lived

Orithya, 27; the most famous of the

who

two and
1156-1212)

dynast) that prevailed for

Christianity to her country.

the Trojan

the eastern end of

Tamara, 10; ruler of Georgia (country south of

with the Europeans.

1583-1663.

known

at

the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey

King Igor of Russia, Olga assumed the throne

and sought revenge against those responsible.
In 955 she introduced Greek Orthodox

skill;

an uncertain purpose

country located

Syria, 21;

Olga, 10; after the Barbarians killed her husband,

queens,

B.C. for

Stour, 47; river in southeastern England

colonialism. Thirty-five years of fighting finally

She

31; island off northwest Scotland

standing stones, originally erected in England

ancient

on the Tigris River

Nzinga Mbande, 8, 10; African leader of
territories on the frontier of Angola who, with
the help of her two sisters, resisted Portuguese
treat)"

isle of,

Stonehenge, 53; an arrangement of massive

Assyria;

her a peace

Wales from

is

Sinjang Halmoni, 11; Korean war goddess

created a

(lived

won

river that divides

named for her.

foremost Hindu god

England

tvrant infamous

Nui, 11; nun turned warrior

she declared

countrv

for her.

Scathach, 7, 10, 30-36, 41; Celtic warrior

80

girl

arts;

Ng Nui
8, 10,

55-59; southeastern African

Ages 9 and up

MARIANNA MAYER
says

of her writing, "Much

as

oyster must be di&tu h^H hv

of sand

grain

in

order for

pearl to be created,

choose to
I

retell

tli

often

stones

in

which

find unresolved fragments thai

somehow perplexing to me."

Her need to explore challenging
material others may overlook led

are

her to the stories or the intriguing

women

Ms.

in this collection.

Mayer has written many books

for

young people, including

Young Mary of Nazareth, Pegasus,

Turandot, Baba Taga and Vasilisa
the Brave,

and The Twelve Dancing

Princesses.

She

lives in

Roxbury,

Connecticut, with her horse, dog,

and various friendly wild animals.

JULEK HELLER was

born

in

at the

in

Jerusalem and studied

Royal Academy of Arts

London. Emphasizing

and

fantasy

historical subjects, his

work

has appeared internationally.

His books include editions of

King Arthur and

the Legends

of Camelot, by Molly Perham,

and C.

S.

Lewis's Chronicles of

Narnia. Mr. Heller

lives in

London

with his wife and four children.

Jacket illustrations copyright

1999

by Julck Heller

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BOADICEA

the fiery Briton

the

Romans,

women
some
but

queen who
is

led her people against

one of the twelve compelling

in this collection.

bloodthirsty,
all

->

rebellious,

some generous and kind

were willing to

the death, for

Some were

fight,

sometimes to

what they believed

in.

ISBN 0-688-1551

90000

9 780688"1 55223'