Scarburg Meadhall Discussion Thread

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Originally Posted by Folwren

I don't remember reading any story wherein a woman took part in any tournament or games. Usually they sit by and be boring.

You should look up Tamora Pierce's novels. Not necessarily realistic, but there are women in combat. Very few female knights (ahem... two.), but the queen's ladies, for example, are highly skilled at archery and such...

In any case, something I read a few years back stuck with me. The scenario was that the castle was under siege and some of the kids were freaking out that there weren't very many men around. Somebody says something about how once when pirates attacked, her aunt had barrels of lard lit and catapulted at the ships. The response was something like, "As any well-reared noblewoman would do."

It stuck with me because it reminds me that even if women aren't classically trained for combat the way men are, they would not be exactly helpless when it came to battle and strategy: they would have at least overheard a lot of what the men knew; couple that with a strong portion of common sense and can you imagine the ire of the matriarch of any family? I for one pity people who draw my mom's wrath. 'Helpless' is not in the vocabulary of most women, particularly way back when. Imagine, for example, Frodidas's prowess with a broom and cooking pot if somebody messed with her kitchen. She would also be well acquainted with what burns easily and what would make the enemies' food spoil if somebody could slip unnoticed into the rival camp. That's certainly a terrifying power. Hungry men don't fight as well.

Women, though perhaps not trained to go out riding on the front lines, would be well acquainted with domestic abilities which could easily be used creatively for defense or offense.

Not that it pertains exactly to a day of manly games... I just wanted to point out that though women were supposed to sit nearby and be boring, when it came right down to it, they were pretty freaking awesome.

But bearing in mind that this is Rohan: the women can ride, and therefore they could race if it was okay for them to do so. Anybody know if it would be acceptable for them to take part in that?

Ooh!

Idea!

Can we have a game of riddles?

Pretty please?

[littlemanpoet]

Originally Posted by Feanor of the Peredhil

Ooh!

Idea!

Can we have a game of riddles?

Pretty please?

I had the same thought. We really should. Let that happen around the bonfire after the sun goes down.