Cathy T Wilson, Author at Medieval - Page 2 of 4 Archive

Farting Lane?

Lurking around the back of the world-famous Savoy Hotel in London, lies an ingenious piece of Victorian engineering; the last remaining sewage lamp, a contraption that was the brainchild of the late 19th century Birmingham inventor Joseph Webb. When the first of the modern sewer systems were being laid beneath the streets of London, they…

Five Revered Ladies of their time

FEATURING FIVE REVERED LADIES OF THEIR TIME 1. Lady Godiva Lady Godiva was a late Anglo-Saxon noblewoman who is relatively well documented as the wife of Leofric, Earl of Mercia. She is mainly remembered for a legend dating back to at least the 13th century, in which she rode naked…

Medieval Queens

Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122 - 1204) Eleanor was born into the House of Poitiers, a powerful dynasty in southwestern France. As a Duchess of Aquitaine, she was the most eligible bride in Europe. Her marriage to Louis VII of France produced two daughters but was soon annulled on account of consanguinity. Just eight weeks…