Long before John Knox first blasted his trumpet about the ‘monstrous regiment of women’ rulers, the fear of a female head of state was considered just and natural in Medieval Europe. Several kingdoms had codified Salic Law from 500 AD onward to prevent a woman from inheriting a throne. In the 12th century, England had… Read more The Medieval Fear of Women Rulers
Our middle child was born a biological female on 1 May 2007. This summer, that child informed us that his biological sex was a physical misrepresentation of his true gender. That, in fact, he was a boy in his heart and his mind. Thus, we now have a son. His name is Scott, and we… Read more Behold, Our Son
I was a transgender ally, even before my son came out as a trans boy. I was shocked and appalled to learn that not all feminists are trans allies. Some feminists are flat out transphobic. They insist biological sex is the only aspect that truly counts in gender identity, and cis women are the only… Read more Controlling the Dialog
Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales was laid to rest on 19 November 1817, and it can truly be said that the entire nation mourned. The 21 year old princess, second in line to the throne, had died of childbirth complications on 6 November, to the dismay of the kingdom. A royal death wouldn’t create such grief again… Read more The Funeral of Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales
The birth of a baby is incredibly influenced by culture. I know that seems odd, since it is a biological reality that appears to transcend cultural differences, but it is true nonetheless. In modern Western and Westernised culture birth has been centered around the technological achievements of biomedical practitioners, although that is changing as the… Read more The Woman in the Straw
My darling middle daughter, my Beltane Baby, turned 12 years old today. Buttercup is a magnificent person, if I do say so myself. She is funny, with a lightening fast wit and the ability to quick-draw a pun that amazes me. She is also smart, interested in everything from the theories of quantum physics to… Read more Buttercup is 12
My eldest child has done it again. She’s gotten a year old and a that much closer to adulthood in what feels like a blink of an eye. My baby, the beautiful and bold Blossom, turned 14 today. It seems like yesterday she was a newborn … Sweet Babou and I were delirious with joy… Read more Blossom Is 14 Years Old Now
St Catherine of Siena was born on 25 March 1347, along with a twin sister named Giovanna, and was the 23rd or 24th of her 40 year old mother’s 25 offspring. With all due respect to Saint Catherine of Siena, the super-fertility of her mother, Lapa Piagenti, is as amazing to me as any of… Read more Medieval Fertility Rates
Margaret of Anjou was born on 23 March 1430, the second legitimate daughter of René, King of Naples and his wife, Isabella, Duchess of Lorraine. The 15 year old Margaret was married to King Henry VI 23 April 1445, and was crowned Queen Consort a few weeks later. She did her best to be a good wife and queen. She… Read more In Defense of Margaret of Anjou
My darling youngest child is 9 years old today. She wanted a dragon themed birthday, and since I cannot decorate cakes for shit, I got a bunch of edible dragon stickers and made her cake ‘dragon-y’. She is such a easy-going little girls that she acted like this was some kind of new, hella-great cake… Read more Happy 9th Birthday, Bubbles