Status Updates From Heldinnen, Herrscherinnen, ...

The saints were the medieval equivalents of today's superheroes, and individuals would have their personal favourites who they most closely identified with.

»Schweigt nicht länger!
Schreit mit hunderttausend Zungen!
Ich sehe, dass die Welt wegen dieses Schweigens in Trümmern liegt.«

Katharina von Siena, »Brief an einen Großprälaten«, um 1375

»Frauen […] werden jetzt sprechen
und lassen sich nicht mehr zum Schweigen bringen;
ihr Wesen wie auch ihre Beredsamkeit kündigen eine Ära an,
in der solche wie sie leichter lernen werden,
ein wahres Leben zu führen.«

Margaret Fuller, Woman in the 19 C, 1850

Nostalgia (.) is easily weaponised, with the past presented to us through rose-tinted spectacles as a time that politicians promise we can return to. The wave of isolationism currently sweeping the globe is fuelled by the belief that, in the face of rapid transformations in technology, global communication and increased integration, the answer is to go back to something earlier, something seemingly better.

Elizabeth ruled over their kingdom during a period of famine and flood, giving away food(.)to assist the poor. It was at this time that 'the miracle of the roses' was said to have occurred.(.)Louis wanted to prove her innocence in front of his guests, so asked her to open her cloak and reveal anything hidden underneath it. As she pulled back her garment, a vision of red and white roses appeared proving her sanctity.

RIVETING I love hearing about cool women from history I otherwise never would have heard of