This week we look at books on just a few of the women who have helped to shape history.
Joan of Arc: A History
There are few women in history as immediately recognisable as the warrior-saint Joan of Arc. Born to a peasant family in the early 15th century she was thrown into a world consumed by war as France battled England in the Hundred Years’ War. Charles VII faced more than just the English claimant to the French throne though with Philip III of Burgundy also challenging the house of Valois’ crown. Largely confined to Bourges, the uncrowned Charles VII needed a miracle to reclaim the kingdom of France.
Spurred on by visions of the Archangel Michael, Saint Catherine, and Saint Margaret the teenage Joan made her way to Charles’ side, building up a fervent following along the way. She quickly delivered the miracles Charles needed, saving Orléans and leading the French to several crushing victories. With the tide turning against the English Joan was captured, tried for heresy, and burned at the stake, she was roughly nineteen years old.
In ‘Joan of Arc: A History’ the battlefields and courts of the 15th century are given a vivid life as Helen Castor tells the amazing story of The Maid of Orléans. This is a great book for those interested in the Hundred Years’ War, life in Late Medieval Europe, and one of the greatest women in history; Joan of Arc.
Peg Plunkett: Memoirs of an Irish Whore
Julie Peakman uses another great woman to bring the Dublin of the late 18th century to life in this tale that will have people questioning many of their assumptions of Irish history. Born in Westmeath to a reasonably privileged family, by sixteen misfortune and her brother’s horsewhip had driven Peg Plunkett to leave for Dublin. This is no simple tale of woe though and through diary excerpts Julie shows us a self confident and powerful woman.
Her passions see her meet a Mr Dardis’ seductions halfway and readily give up her chastity to him. This self confidence marks most of Peg’s life. When she becomes pregnant she calmly accepts that Mr Dardis’ promises of marriage are likely hollow. After a Mr Leeson sets her up in Ranelagh she continues to enjoy ‘stolen pleasures’. She eventually sets up a Dublin brothel with fellow courtesan Sally Hayes, both women making life for themselves on their own terms.
A hardy and passionate woman Peg Plunkett brings a vitality to 18th century Irish history. Julie brings Dublin alive around Peg. The harsh realities of violence, death, and suffering are brought to life but so too are the joys and loves. This book uncovers the vivid character of Ireland that is too often hidden under a gloomy narrative, a must read for those interested in Irish social history and the world of the 18th century.
Victoria: A Life
Queen Victoria is the last of our great women this weekend. Born in 1819 she would go on to become the matron of Europe’s largest dynasties, oversee some of the greatest changes in world history, and one of the world’s longest reigning monarchs. Under her rule England enjoyed one of the greatest periods of peace and prosperity. Yet her tenure also had its share of controversy; with the Opium Wars, Indian Mutiny, war in the Crimea as well as against the Boers and Zulus, and severe famine in Ireland and India.
It is the woman herself who takes the central role in A.N. Wilson’s biography though. Drawing on a gigantic body of research he revisits Queen Victoria’s life and challenges some of the accepted facts of her rule. While her marriage to Albert, and their shared plans to help change the world, plays a big role she always remains the focus. Likewise with the string of Prime Ministers who governed during her reign.
Wilson tells the fascinating tale of the 19th century from the perspective of Victoria. Looking not only at how she viewed the world around her but at the woman herself. One of the best accounts of her life this is a vital addition to the bookshelf of anyone interested in the life and times of Queen Victoria and a great read for those fascinated by the era that bears her name.
