🌙 Welcome to Boring History For Sleep, Sleep History, Sleep Well, and Sleep Calm, where we take a gentle journey deep into England’s past.
👑 Discover what life was really like serving Queen Elizabeth I — from silent servants to Tudor power struggles and political intrigue.
⚔️ Then, witness the brave stories of England’s founding warriors and the harsh realities of Viking invasions.
👩🦰 Finally, explore the daily lives of medieval women, concubines, and noblewomen — their quiet struggles, pressures, and unseen strength.
📜 Each segment is narrated slowly and thoughtfully, illuminating the forgotten faces of history with care.
🛌 Prepare to drift off on a peaceful sleep journey, guided by the silent heroes and untold truths of the past.
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Chapter:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:02 Preparation: What It Was Really Like to Serve Queen Elizabeth I & More
00:01:28 Segment 1: Why It Sucked to Be a Servant in Elizabeth’s Court
00:11:51 Segment 2: Elizabeth I – The Virgin Queen’s War with Herself
00:21:55 Segment 3: The Mystery of Her Painted Face – What Was She Hiding?
00:33:15 Segment 4: A Day in the Life of Elizabeth’s Inner Circle
00:43:06 Segment 5: Why It Sucked to Be a Saxon Warrior in Early England
00:53:02 Segment 6: King Alfred the Great – The King Who Hid in a Swamp
01:02:15 Segment 7: The Mystery of the Bayeux Tapestry – Propaganda or Proof?
01:13:00 Segment 8: A Norman Knight’s Quiet Evening After Battle
01:20:30 Segment 9: Why It Sucked to Be a Peasant Woman in Medieval England
01:31:11 Segment 10: Eleanor of Aquitaine – A Queen Who Refused to Be Silent
01:39:35 Segment 11: The Forgotten Lives of English Concubines
01:50:19 Segment 12: A Day in the Life of a Noblewoman in 13th Century England
01:58:36 Chapter Three Closing and Sleep Well
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welcome to the boring history to sleep channel
tonight allow yourself to drift gently backward beyond the familiar hum of the present day into
a world of candle light and velvet shadows we are traveling to TUDA England an age of richly
embroidered gowns and ruthless political survival an era where secrets were whispered behind fans
and loyalty was measured in silence at the very heart of this world is a queen elizabeth I a
monarch of unmatched brilliance and burden she ruled alone in a time when being a woman in power
was nearly unthinkable but hers was no fairy tale reign beneath the grandeur of her court she
constant unease poison plots and performance this evening we will explore what it truly
meant to live in her orbit as a servant a subject a symbol or a shadow you’ll walk softly
through the stone corridors of her palaces hear the soft rustle of silks and the distant toll of
the chapo bell feel the cool dawn air as you rise before the queen so settle in let the worries of
your day dissolve and let the slow rhythm of the past wrap around you like a warm cloak we begin
not with royalty but with those who served in silence remember Elizabeth was the last monarch of
the Tuda dynasty and she ruled England from 1558 to603 her father was Henry VIII imagine yourself
waking in the pre-dawn stillness of a tuda palace it’s cold we’re focusing today on the servants
that were close to the queen that served in her court directly so this is going to be different
from being a servant say at Kennallworth or some other royal mana house you move from room to room
collecting kindling blowing on embers coaxing them to life your fingers are stiff with cold the
air smells of smoke and damp wool now this could be a footman or a page that might be a servant
that’s maybe 12 or 13 years old you wait holding the basin steady knowing that soon you will pour
the water onto the queen’s hands and face you do not speak you do not smile you wait the queen’s
ladies will attend to her first brushing her red gold hair applying layer upon layer of her iconic
white makeup then the queen will use your basin her fingertips trailing through the water dipping
her face forward perhaps she will catch your eye if she does you avert your gaze quickly down to
the water to the flowers anywhere but her face when she sits you watch as her crown is placed
upon her head if someone falls out of favor you may be the reason they know it if a secret is
uncovered you will bear its weight until you can deliver it at the queen’s feet you serve her
best you survive you watch as her nobles vive for position as ambassadors present their gifts as
courtiers whisper and plow if you are summoned to carry her train your fingers must be steady
if they tremble you may be reprimanded if you speak too softly you are seen as weak if you speak
too boldly you are marked what other time periods would you like me to cover who else would you like
to see and you watch always watching for anything I miss any stain on the perfect day thanks again
for watching and I’ll see you next time but your uniform is spotless your posture unchanged you
lie awake for a time staring at the stone ceiling somewhere above you the queen is also still awake
writing praying perhaps just staring into the fire neither of you will ever truly rest again you
are everywhere and nowhere you are essential yet unseen a nobleman has fallen from favor a lady
dismissed for daring to wear the same color as the queen a kitchen boy caught whispering near a
foreign ambassador the palace is alive with such stories but none are spoken aloud and so you drift
not into dreams but into a quiet where nothing is demanded of you for a few hours at least just
stillness just breath the palace exhales you learn to read the air the queen’s mood is the
true weather of the court if her expression is tight if her voice is clipped everyone walks more
slowly if she laughs it echoes like sunlight on water and for a moment the burden of service feels
almost light but the laughter never lasts servants who meet the queen’s eye are often dismissed
sometimes they are punished sometimes they are given special tasks anything can happen maybe he
has been sent to do this because the master of the horse doesn’t want to get his hands dirty you
will know the queen is finished when the ladies leave and the queen comes out alone you must be
ready to follow her to wherever she goes next perhaps it is the solar where she receives
ambassadors there are stewards chamberlins fellow servants all quietly assessing reporting
everyone in the palace is trying to rise higher or to avoid falling you are neither invisible nor
noticed you are necessary but replaceable perhaps it is the privy chamber where she dresses for
the day perhaps it is the throne room where she will hear petitions you are always behind her
always at the ready this young lad is probably shivering he’s probably trying not to make a lot
of noise you arrange the table settings just so much silver flowers but not fragrant ones the
queen dislikes strong scent everything must be immaculate everything must suggest control you
move to take your place in the gallery above the throne the cordiers are entering now bowing to the
queen as they take their seats you watch them from above hidden in the shadows seeing everything he’s
certainly paying attention to how the fires are burning making sure that they’re not dying out
those servants would have a different schedule a different amount of contact with the queen and
a different level of danger the flames flicker against your face you are careful not to let the
suit touch your collar whoever you are you know that this is hallowed ground these chambers smell
of roses and lavender fresh flowers are brought in every day to mask any hint of waste and chamber
pots you check the hangings straighten the heavy velvet curtains run a cloth over the canopy bed
dust the high chest polish the silver everything must be immaculate everything must suggest control
you prepare the queen’s morning basin the water is warmed over coals infused with rose petals
and herbs the towel is linen freshly pressed the combs are ivory the mirror polished until it
shines like still water the queen must never see the dirt and she must never ever see you looking
at her in Elizabeth’s court silence is not only golden it is survival eye contact is forbidden you
keep your head bowed you speak only when spoken to and even then only with exactness the wrong
tone the wrong word the wrong glance can unravel your entire existence you move to the queen’s bit
hear your movements slow you change your pace your breath your posture everything about you must
now reflect control and reverence the kind of cold that seeps through the stone walls and curls
around your bones before you’ve even opened your eyes you lie on a straw mattress in a tiny chamber
barely wider than your own body there’s no fire no privacy no comfort your day has already begun
it’s just past 4:00 a.m before the queen stirs long before the court is bathed in candlelight and
ceremony you are moving her mother was Anne Bullan and she had one sibling her half sister mary I
today we retaking a look at what it would have been like to be a servant in Elizabeth’s court
so let me set the scene for you now there were many servants within the royal courts so this
isn’t going to apply to all of them before the queen stirs you are moving so this servant might
be one of the few people up at this hour he might be sharing a room with another servant they might
be sleeping in a different part of the palace but whoever you are you have duties quickly you
dress pull on your hose and your tunic tie your leather belt late your shoes you wash your
hands and face in the basin splash cold water on your skin dab it dry with a rough cloth then you
move out into the palace halls passing by those who are also stirring the grooms and stable lads
pages and maids yman and officers all summoned by the insistent toll of the clock your first job
light the fires there are dozens spread across the palace then come the candles hundreds of them
each must be trimmed and reit the wax clings to your sleeves this could be a footman it could be
a senior servant but the queen is not ready yet she will bathe dress receive her ladies and her
counselors you may be dismissed or not you wait later you help prepare the hall you lay the
carpets brush them until the patterns emerge beneath centuries of tread and always you are
watched and if you forget this the queen will remind you when the queen enters you stand and
you watch as she moves to her throne if something happens you will be the one to report it if
the queen passes you in the corridor you bow deeply you do not look the day lengthens then
shortens the sun climbs and falls most nights you do not sleep deeply there are always rumors
by midnight you are back in your narrow chamber your hands ache your back is sore in this cord
sleep is not for the ambitious nor the powerful nor the loyal only for the forgotten now moving
on to segment two elizabeth I the Virgin Queen’s War with herself today we are exploring the mind
of Queen Elizabeth I you might conjure up images of a strong female leader or a time of cultural
flourishing in England or maybe even think about the royal family as long-standing issues with
succession but what about Elizabeth the person who was the woman behind the crown let’s begin yet
she never married to this day historians debate why some believe it was a matter of the heart a
betrayal or a heartbreak too deep to mend others say it was strategic that she used the idea of
marriage as a diplomatic tool never surrendering control but imagine the weight of that choice
every day she rose alone and she expected the same discretion from everyone around her she was
not cruel but she was absolute sir Thomas Bridges a diplomat once complained about the weather
slipped into a conversation with Elizabeth and was immediately dismissed from his post during the
Spanish Armada when England faced invasion from the most powerful empire in the world elizabeth
dawned armor and stood before her troops she was in her 50s wearing steel addressing hardened
soldiers she survived rebellions assassination attempts and economic collapse she never showed
fear never admitted weakness and she rarely let anyone close even though she favored Robert Dudley
for example could be embraced one day and frozen out of the net the court was a stage every smile
was choreographed every outfit chosen not just for beauty but for symbolism white for purity gold
for power pearls for wisdom and under it all she carried the weight of a nation she knew that one
mistake one false move could unravel everything she had built i know I have the body of a weak
and feeble woman yet I have the heart and stomach of a king and of a king of England she covered
her mirrors she paced the palace halls at night some said she spoke to shadows others that she
prayed for hours without moving but perhaps she was simply tired a woman who had spent her entire
life surviving in a world that was not built for her the moment passed into legend but behind the
speeches and silver breastplates was a woman who had lived half her life fearing betrayal live in
a world of intrigue betrayal and danger wake every morning unsure if it would be your last have the
entire future of a nation rest on your shoulders and carry that burden alone with no one to turn
to not even in the darkest night because in the end there would be no one left standing beside
you only the endless line of portraits staring back accusingly waiting for you to take your place
among them william Davidson one of her secretaries delivered an unpopular speech in Parliament
and was forced to resign though he would later become one of her most trusted advisers she could
have struck back formed an alliance waged war but Elizabeth stayed out of it she wasn’t naive
she knew exactly what was happening she knew that letting others fight would leave her stronger
and when the Spanish Armada came she was ready she never forgot a slight no matter how small but she
also never forgot a service no matter how great every decision every treaty every execution every
tax was hers to bear she kept her own council she trusted few she delighted in spectacle she
enjoyed dressing the part once a year she would host elaborate banquetss welcoming ambassadors
from across Europe these were not just diplomatic affairs they were performances she controlled the
music the decorations the food everyone knew their roles when an ambassador arrived Elizabeth would
greet them with a choreographed dance followed by lavish gifts then she would watch as they fell for
the trap even her closest advisers knew that her trust could vanish in a single breath we rego in
a star with a simple question what do you think of when you hear the name Elizabeth at first but
she insisted saying there was something about their eyes that troubled her this was not vanity
it was control elizabeth wanted to set the terms of the story how she looked out at her people how
they looked back so he destroyed the paintings and every canvas was destroyed except for one they say
he hid it in his house nailed to the wall where it remained until his death when it turned up covered
in dirt and grime in a musty attic today it’s known as the ditchly port it’s the only painting
to survive and some believe it shows us the real Elizabeth the eyes looking away as if searching
for something beyond the frame now let us lift our gaze upward from the servants’s quarters past the
candle galleries and guarded doorways and into the private rooms of the monarch herself roger Asham
for example was one of the greatest astronomers in history he mapped the stars described galaxies
made the first telescope in England but he was also Elizabeth’s spy master gathering secrets
for the crown watching her enemies christopher a brilliant mathematician scientist engineer was put
in charge of London’s water supply he designed the city’s first proper sewer system he oversaw public
works helped keep London free of disease but he was also Elizabeth’s jailer torturing suspected
traitors pulling out their fingernails forcing them to watch themselves burn these two men along
with many others were the intellectual elite of the age they were scholars writers visionaries
but they also served Elizabeth’s will they took secrets to their graves they left behind a few
personal writings we remember their brilliance but little else and that’s because Elizabeth built
her reign on secrecy queen Elizabeth the first her name still carries weight centuries after
her death she was just a child when her mother Anne Bullan was executed by her father King Henry
VIII one day Elizabeth was the daughter of a queen the next she was declared illegitimate a political
inconvenience sent away from court imagine being 3 years old and watching the world change around you
without explanation elizabeth learned early that love could be revoked that favor was conditional
that silence was safety as she grew she studied Latin Greek history theology not just because it
pleased her tutors but because knowledge gave her a kind of armor when her sister Mary came to the
throne Elizabeth’s life hung by a thread accused of conspiracy she was imprisoned in the Tower of
London for weeks she sat in a cold stone room with only a prayer book and the threat of execution
echoing down the hall she survived just barely and when Mary died childless Elizabeth became
queen but she did not rejoice she knew that a crown was not a blessing it was a burden she
is remembered as Gloriana the virgin queen the last of the tutors her face painted in pale white
framed by flaming red curls looks out from coins and portraits with an expression of stillness
of certainty but inside that carefully crafted image was a woman born into peril elizabeth’s
life began under the shadow of the axe from the moment she sat on the throne she was surrounded
by threats foreign armies domestic plots powerful men who believed no woman could rule alone in 1563
Elizabeth met with her secretary tasked him with destroying her portraits at first he thought
it was madness why ruin such priceless works she surrounded herself with brilliant minds but
never gave any of them power over her she wrote letters late into the night often by candle light
correcting drafts line by line rewriting the words that would shape her nation elizabeth maintained
an elaborate court full of intrigue ceremony and betrayal when war came as it inevitably did
she did not retreat the year before she watched as the French king married her cousin a teenager
making the French queen the most powerful woman in Europe she ruled for 44 years in her final years
Elizabeth became increasingly isolated she stopped appearing in public so this is the question would
you trade places with Elizabeth would you give up your life for hers now moving on to segment two
Elizabeth I the Virgin Queen’s war with herself in 1592 the English Queen Elizabeth I hosted a group
of foreign ambassadors in her palace at Whiteall the visitors were eager to meet this most famous
of monarchs whose reputation had preceded her across Europe and establishing the first British
colonies in North America she also presided over a cultural revolution fostering the works of
playwrights like Shakespeare and Christopher Marlo as well as scientists such as William Gilbert and
Edmund Custous as a young princess she was thrust into the spotlight her mother Anne Bullin had
been executed when Elizabeth was 3 years old and her father King Henry VIII quickly married one of
Elizabeth’s slate historians believe that she had studied art and the work of renowned designers
in order to perfect her look the result was a blend of regality and approachability instead she
combined rich fabrics with simpler cuts and colors this meant that her palaces needed to impress and
intimidate potential enemies as well as serve as a rallying point for her supporters if her successor
was to be a man as was customary at the time he would need to be widely accepted as rightful heir
and Elizabeth knew that her palaces could help achieve that end for example when the Scottish
nobility arrived at Westminster in 1573 to protest Elizabeth s refusal to grant Presbyterianism legal
status in Scotland she received them in the Great Gallery the gallery was lined with banners bearing
the royal coat of arms and Elizabeth’s throne was decorated with images of kingship including the
Virgin Mary holding a pomegranate the message was clear elizabeth was not just a female monarch
she was a legitimate descendant of Henry VIII and possessed the divine right to rule and if anyone
else thought otherwise they had only to walk through her palaces to reconsider she typically
wore dresses in shades of blue green and red as well as elegant French hoods and high collars far
from being the cold distant monarch she projected Elizabeth was deeply human grappling with similar
fears and desires as the rest of us consider the countless hours people spend on social media
crafting their online personas in doing so they strive to shape how others view them just as
Elizabeth did centuries ago but what is lost when we curate our public images and what does it say
about us that we feel the need to hide our true selves in the first place and for more on the
lengths people will go to control their public image watch our video on the bizarre habits of
Hollywood’s most famous recluse Judy Garland she could be warm and funny caring and generous
she had favorite foods favorite places and favorite activities just as we do but she also
recognized the power of the image she presented to the world whether it was the arrangement of her
ribbon or the decoration of her holes she created an identity that inspired confidence respect
and ultimately loyalty elizabeth remains one of history’s most fascinating figures not because
she was perfect but because she was so human all in all Elizabeth was instantly recognizable thanks
in part to one striking feature her hair not only did this make the young princess vulnerable
but it also cast her in the role of outsider think of the many tiarrows worn by queens and
princesses but Elizabeth’s preferred accessory was a simple ribbon the use of the ribbon may seem
strange given that Elizabeth was often presented with far grander gifts over the course of her
reign she received robes woven with gold thread sumptuous furs and exquisite jewels but Elizabeth
had a fondness for simplicity she preferred the ribbon because it could be tied in multiple ways
and thus offered flexibility unlike jewelry it did not limit her movements or weigh her down with a
simple pull she could change not only the style of her hood but its meaning sometimes she tied
her ribbon in a vertical bow suggesting humility at other times she arranged it horizontally
communicating her status as queen and when she wore a velvet hood she might accentuate it with a
small pearl ornament known as a French knot which added a touch of whimsy to her look ultimately
Elizabeth’s choice of accessories conveyed something about her personality that of a woman
who was strong but not ostentatious changeable but deliberate influential but grounded in court
Elizabeth experienced firsthand the whims of the monarchy and its tendency toward ruthlessness
her royal palaces were immaculately planned and decorated reflecting her belief in the importance
of appearances for example when she moved to the Palace of Westminster in 1560 she worked with
decorators to paint the walls with heraldic beasts including lions dragons and griffins she
believed that beautiful surroundings inspired those around her to behave in a refined manner
and she hoped that her guests would be aruck by the splendor of her courts for example when Henry
had one of his wives Catherine Howard put to death after accusing her of infidelity he immediately
began divorce proceedings with Catherine’s cousin Elizabeth’s own aunt Margaret Paul Countess
of Salisbury he charged her with treason and threw her in prison where she remained until her
death these traumatic events along with Henry’s abdication and the ascension of Lady Jane Gray
left Elizabeth unsure of her place in the royal family and afraid for her own safety yet despite
these achievements Elizabeth has been portrayed as a tragic figure burdened by personal tragedy and
ultimately childless her halfsister was suspicious of Elizabeth as claim to the throne and saw the
young princess as a threat mary also differed from their father in that she was Roman Catholic and
she sought to undo some of his reforms including the establishment of the Church of England thus
Elizabeth who was Protestant feared that Mary would punish her for her religion as well as her
royal lineage forced into exile Elizabeth lived incognito in the homes of sympathetic nobles it
was during this time that she cultivated the image that would make her famous she chose the name Amy
Robert and lived in relative obscurity though she continued to plot with other nobles against her
halfsister after Mary’s death in 1558 Elizabeth finally reclaimed her birthright she had spent
years preparing for this moment cultivating allies and carefully considering her future from
the beginning she sought to present herself as a moderate while a Protestant herself she wanted to
heal the divisions in England between Catholics and Protestants and thus she enacted a series
of religious reforms establishing the Church of England as the state religion but granting
certain rights to Cath we tend to remember her for the personal sacrifices she made for the
sake of her country and her role a martr to duty at last the queen entered the room but instead of
the regal figure they had envisioned they found a woman of middle age short despite the common
refrain of never marry never retreat Elizabeth considered marriage an option throughout her life
she received numerous proposals including one from the Swedish king which offered her an advantageous
alliance with a Protestant nation but Elizabeth declined finding no acceptable match among her
suitors so why did she remain single according to Borman she may have simply enjoyed the freedom
that came with it as a married woman she would have had to consult with her husband on important
matters and may have been subject to his influence by remaining unmarried she could make decisions
swiftly and according to her own judgment this along with the fact that she was intelligent
energetic and decisive allowed her to excel in a male-dominated field it enabled her to forge her
own path to build her own legacy untethered to any man and stout dressed in black her face obscured
by a veil this was how Elizabeth liked to appear in private far from the dazzling monarch depicted
in portrait and tapestries though the ambassadors would soon come to know the true scope of her
power they were left with the impression that the queen was not as formidable as her image
indeed many historians agree that Elizabeth’s public persona and reality were dramatically
different but what does this tell us about her and about the nature of power and how did she
cultivate one of history’s most enduring images elizabeth’s legacy is well established under her
44-year reign England became a major player on the world stage defeating the Spanish Armada and yet
a scholar Tracy Borman points out Elizabeth didn’t necessarily see herself this way but Elizabeth’s
personal life and public image were inextricably intertwined as a result when Mary Tuda took the
throne Elizabeth was forced into hiding she also understood the importance of image having lived
a relatively humble life in disguise Elizabeth returned to court as a vision of magnificence
throughout history powerful women have used clothing and jewelry to convey authority for
Elizabeth the details mattered whether it was the placement of a ribbon or the layout of her
palace such decorum was especially important to Elizabeth because she had no male heir
ultimately Elizabeth’s story challenges us to think again about the relationships between image
and reality elizabeth’s obsession with controlling the narrative of her own story continues to
resonate today now we’re moving on to segment four a day in the life of Elizabeth’s inner circle all
right let us now move quietly and I mean quietly you all heard me do you understand we’re going
someplace special no trumpets out to sound let us move quietly into the spaces where power breathes
softly we have walked with the servant stood beside the queen herself and we’ve gazed into the
mystery of her mask imagine waking in a chamber bathed in gray morning light you dress carefully
because every article of clothing is a silent message you work constantly because the queen
demands it you dance at night because laughter keeps you from crying you don’t have friends
you have colleagues you don’t have allies you have partners you are part of a team a team whose
sport is power and whose prize is survival behind all this facade of finery and feasting there’s the
cold hard reality of survival what would happen if the queen fell out of favor what would happen if
her son took the throne what would happen if her rival advisor took control what would happen
if you were accused of disloyalty or worse incompetence you think about all these things a
lot you can’t help it it’s your job to stay ahead of the game to keep one step ahead of the queen’s
wy son to stay one heartbeat ahead of your rivals to keep your distance yet stay close to avoid the
queen’s notice yet never escape her sight it’s a titroc and you walk it every day you are always
afraid you never show it but sometimes at night when the feasting is over when the hunting is done
when the queen is asleep you take off your mask and underneath the mask you are a man alone in
your chamber alone with your thoughts alone with your fears you are a man who plays the courtier
but who dreams of being something else a man who plays the loyal subject but who wonders what it
would be like to live a different life a man who plays the hunter but who longs to be the A man who
plays the king but who is only a porn in someone else’s game you are a man trapped in a gilded cage
trapped by duty trapped by loyalty trapped by fear you are a man who lives in the shadow of the queen
forever in her shadow forever in her service you are a man who lives in the court of Elizabeth
I the sounds of the palace are distant muffled footsteps a page turning in the next room you are
neither a servant nor the served you are see you are known your name perhaps Dudley or Walsingham
or Ceil carries weight but that weight is not light you dress with care not too fine that would
be seen as vanity not to plain that would signal weakness your dublet is pressed your hose laced
your ring carefully chosen symbols matter here your faces clean shaven or neatly whipped no man
in the queen’s service goes about with an unwashed neck or a scraggly beard every mark every blemish
every line tells a story that story should never be one of toil or trouble you can’t afford to look
tired to look worried the queen sees everything and everything matters by sunrise you are already
working there is no leisurely meal no idle walk through the gardens the queen expects your first
memorandum before she takes her morning draft you write by candle light your words must be precise
thoughtful cautious each sentence may be read aloud in council or kept in her private box either
way they will be remembered then perhaps a summons a soft knock a quiet word the queen wishes your
counel you walk through the narrow passageways toward her presence chamber you do not rehearse
you already know what to say and more importantly what not to say she greets you not with warmth
but with attention her gaze is direct her silence louder than words you speak carefully she listens
perhaps she smiles or perhaps dot dot dot it is impossible to know if your words pleased her you
leave the chamber unsure always unsure the day unfolds there may be council meetings audiences
with ambassadors letters to draft secrets to keep you meet with other advisers friends perhaps
but also rivals robert Dudley is beloved by the queen his presence at court a constant reminder
that affection and advantage often walk hand in hand francis Walssingham coldeyed and brilliant
overseas the network of spies that stretch across Europe he knows too much he speaks too little
william Ceil steady and tireless has served the queen longer than anyone he is her memory her
anchor together you navigate a court where nothing is as it seems in the afternoon there may be a
hunt elizabeth rides well even now her courtiers follow in careful formation laughing softly
watching each other the chase is not just for deer it is also for favor later the court assembles
in the great hall there is music amas laughter rehearsed and restrained the queen dances her
steps are precise her gestures elegant you watch you applaud but you do not forget the politics
behind the pageantry everyone here is dancing in one way or another after midnight you return to
your chamber the halls are quieter now the fire in your hearth is low you sit by its warmth alone
you remove your ring your collar you breathe and yet you do not rest you draft one last letter
just in case you seal it with wax you leave it on the table the queen may call again before
dawn or not such as life in her inner circle now we step into the realm of those who lived just
beyond the throne not royalty not commoners but something in between the people who really ran
England ah but how did they live how did they work what hopes did they hold what fears what
were their days like elizabeth’s inner circle the people closest to the throne they were never
quite safe but they were rarely in danger either they were never quite powerful but they often
made the important decisions they were Elizabeth’s friends her confidence her counselors her lovers
her rivals sometimes all of these things at once they lived lives of power and peril they lived
lives of privilege and poverty they lived lives of love and loss they lived lives of hope and
fear their lives were full of parad their lot in life was to make sure that everything around
them seemed to run smoothly while secretly making sure that everything around them didn’t fall
apart to succeed in Elizabeth’s court you had to know when to keep your mouth shut and when
to speak just enough if you were too clever you were accused of trying to be the queen if you
were too dull you were useless if you spoke too little people forgot that you existed if you
spoke too much you offended someone important if you were too faithful you were boring if you
were too disobedient you were out of a job and possibly be if you were too rich you were accused
of trying to buy the throne if you were too poor you were accused of trying to beg for the throne
if you were too young you weren’t taken seriously if you were too old you were left behind if you
made a mistake you lost the queen’s favor if you made no mistakes people accused you of being a
spy if you were too ambitious you threatened the queen if you weren’t ambitious you weren’t useful
if you dressed badly you were thought of as If you dressed well you were thought of as vain you see
the trap they were in if you were in Elizabeth’s inner circle you could lose everything in an
instant you could lose your head in an instant life was always cheap in Elizabeth’s time but if
you were in her inner circle life was especially cheap if the queen turned against you no one could
save you not family not friends not money not God so let us imagine what it was actually like
to live in that most precarious of places this isn’t glory this is survival you wake before dawn
because sleep is a luxury you can’t afford now we’re moving on to segment five why it sucked
to be a Saxon warrior in early England how do you create a warrior obviously you start with
physical training building them up to be strong fast agile but the strongest muscle in the human
body is the heart the fastest way to build it is with danger i’m here with the team this week
we got to go behind the scenes at We learned what it takes to create warriors but being a
warrior isn’t just physical being a warrior is also mental one can measure a man’s true
fighting spirit by his attitude towards bloodshed we can ignore the fancy footwork and sword
instead let’s focus on their code of conduct the idea of the samurai as a master of himself
these guys get paid to kick down doors and point guns at people that’s terrifying but the scariest
thing they do is suppress their natural response and instead follow orders being a warrior isn’t
everything and there are plenty of other benefits think of your mind like a muscle training it to
resist distractions makes it stronger where do you even start one answer might be in ancient Greece
you see the Greeks took education seriously his goal was to take young Athenian nobles and turn
them into persuasive leaders he taught them how to speak eloquently write compelling letters memorize
long speeches basically he made them masters of messaging in fact one of his students went on
to become a general leading Athens to victory in the Pelpeneisian war studying history gives
us a window into the past letting us observe how past warriors lived and fought it’s about facing
your fears controlling your emotions and pushing beyond your limits so if you want to be a warrior
don’t just lift weights read books meditate debate train because a warrior isn’t just a fighter a
warrior is a master of himself we can analyze their tactics study their equipment and learn from
their mistakes we can see how different cultures approached warfare how they organized their armies
and trained their soldiers history is full of lessons it’s up to us to learn them they knew
that creating a good citizen required teaching more than just reading writing and arithmetic
but philosophy literally means love of wisdom in ancient Greece it was considered the highest
form of education so studying philosophy made you a better warrior thanks to our supporters
and thanks to all of you for watching i hope you learned something new today this might seem
counterintuitive let’s talk about logic logic is the art of critical thinking it’s the ability to
argue and debate to dissect an opponent’s argument and expose their flaws this teaches you to think
clearly and make smart decisions every general makes decisions based on incomplete information
sometimes there isn’t time to gather intel sometimes the intel is biased and sometimes you
just don’t know what you don’t know learning how to evaluate information spot fallacies and draw
logical conclusions is a useful skill but bear with me first let’s talk about rhetoric philosophy
was central to their curriculum socrates Plato and Aristotle became famous for their ideas and
teachings they debated ethics logic and rhetoric rhetoric is the art of getting others to do what
you want whether you’re negotiating a treaty or convincing your troops to charge forward rhetoric
is essential in fact history shows us that wars are often won by the side that’s more skilled than
rhetoric the ability to persuade is a superpower an ancient Greek rhetoric was pretty advanced it
involved understanding human nature knowing your audience and appealing to emotion but when it
came to making a warrior the Greek teacher of choice was a guy named it gives you the energy and
clarity to tackle bigger problems it even improves your sleep so it’s worth it for that alone we
have ethics ethics is the art of morality it’s the difference between right and wrong courage and
cowardice strength and brutality in ancient Greece ethics was central to education they believed that
good character was the foundation of a virtuous society so ethics teaches us what to do and why
we should do it they can’t feel fear they can’t hesitate they can’t afford to special forces
soldiers train for high stress situation they jump out of planes infiltrate hostile locations
interrogate enemies and every minute they’re in danger they need to maintain focus their lives
depend on it and most of their training is focused on developing this skill set bushido places
great emphasis on remember a warrior is not just a fighter he’s a leader a diplomat a gentleman
bushido taught them to control their emotions and not be reckless it’s okay to feel anger but
how you react to that anger matters maybe you were born in a village that was attacked by Vikings and
you lost everything maybe you have family that you need to protect the first was the bravery of
necessity like the mother who lifts a car to save her child a warrior isn’t defined by how much
he wants to fight but how well he can fight while resisting his instincts it’s hard to practice but
if you’re interested I recommend trying meditation meditation is becoming increasingly popular it
helps with anxiety and depression but its original purpose was to teach with regular practice you
can learn to sit still and push away distractions eventually you’ll become comfortable with
uncomfortable feelings the second was the bravery of conviction like the soldier who charges into
battle the third was the bravery of discipline the samurai who commits sapuku rather than surrender
all three require facing death but none rely on not feeling fear what’s interesting about these
types is that they imply a hierarchy the samurai who accepts death with stoic calm is braver than
the mother who desperately scrambles to save her child at least according to the ancient Greeks
so which type of bravery is best which one should you aim for well this depends on your warrior
philosophy now imagine you’re hiding from these invaders in a ditch fear is an instinct something
primal that all humans share when we smell fear our heart races our muscles tense and while this
response has kept us alive for millions of years in the context of a battle fear is crippling you
can’t hide forever and standing around cowering is almost as bad as running away so the Saxon warrior
closes his eyes takes a breath draws his sword he doesn’t want to die but he’s willing to accept
it this is called controlled fear in Greek they called it Andrea controlled fear is the ability
to ignore base instincts and overcome them with reason this is the core of bravery not the absence
of fear now of course this sounds simple do you enjoy fighting the answer is yes and yes but we
need to understand what this means to feel no fear is not courage to avoid what is unpleasant
is cowardice to seek what is unpleasant is folly so there must be a middle ground a balance but
how do we find it well first let’s talk about fear so today I’ll look at some ancient training
methods that will build your mind as always we begin with a quote there are two types of warriors
those who love bloodshed and those who avoid it imagine you’re a Saxon warrior in early medieval
England the Greeks believed that there were three types of bravery now let’s look at Bushido the way
of the samurai we can compare this to the modern special forces soldier so whether we’re talking
about a samurai or a special forces operator the key takeaway is clear but you might say why do
you need this but let’s say you want to become a warrior i Socrates wasn’t your typical teacher
he wasn’t interested in theories he wanted results now if you meet someone and they tell you they’re
a philosopher you probably think they wear sandals read books and drink wine rhetoric is the art of
persuasion it’s the difference between asking for help and demanding it between saying please and
saying please next finally but we can’t end this video without discussing history becoming
a warrior isn’t just about being tough it’s about mastering yourself thank you so much for
watching now we’re moving on to segment six king Alfred the Great the king who hid in a swamp now
step quietly through the mist leaving behind the shivering lines of Saxon soldiers and enter a
different kind of silence the silence of the wetlands the marshes and the low murmur of a man
deep in thought it’s not even past this is where we find him not in a throne room not a strider a
white horse but in a swamp not leading armies not taking counsel but watching listening waiting
here in the hushed tones of nature King Alfred finds his greatest strength we have met him before
this King Alfred our warrior king subduing rebels winning battles driving back the Viking invaders
yet there is another Alfred a different story and it is here in the hushed tones of nature that we
find him come with me it is winter in the year 878 almost a decade into Alfred’s reign you can feel
the biting winds slithering through the reed beds you see the gray sky pressing down like a shroud
the kingdom of Wessex is bleeding the Danes have poured through the south and taken the city of
Chapenum all of Alfred’s court has fled most of his army is lost his brother Ethostand has
fallen alfred himself is pursued by the enemy branded as a runaway king what is he to do retreat
north into there the king of that realm Burgard refuses to help he will not even open his doors so
Alfred rides on alone riding hard riding fast and soon his pursuers are upon him realizing that
he cannot escape he turns and faces his enemy but not in battle for the weather is foul and the
ground is treacherous Alfred chooses flight again this time he hides he flees into the swamp lands
of all it is an inhospitable place the reeds are choked with water the mud sucks at your feet
the nights are freezing cold and the days dreary men die here from cold and hunger and exhaustion
and it is here that Alfred disappears historians debate exactly how long he stayed there but most
agree it was about 6 months what we know for sure is that he never left he stayed and so he watched
he learned he listened think about it what if you were in Alfred’s shoes you are a king without a
court without an army without a home your kingdom is burning around you what would you do would you
brood and grieve would you lash out and strike blindly or would you focus on the present moment
gathering all your attention learning as much as you can about the world immediately around you
this is what Alfred did he observed the habits of the land the rhythms of the seasons the ways
of the creatures he sat by the lake and watched the dragon flies darting over the water the herand
standing motionless on their stilt-like legs the otter playing in the sun in the evenings he would
sit by the fire and watch the flames dance and flicker their light painting strange shadows
on the walls sometimes he would look up at the stars trying to make sense of their patterns and
positions he must have looked at the Big Dipper and wondered if it was the same constellation
that his grandfather King Eggbert had looked at all those years ago did he think of his father
King Ethwolf and the hopes and dreams they had shared or did he remember his own coronation day
the cheers of the crowd ringing in his ears we do not know what thoughts ran through his head during
those long dark nights but we do know that he used the time to learn everything he could about the
land and its people alfred kept himself busy with books the tools of learning and knowledge during
his campaigns he had often carried books with him reading them by the light of the fire while his
nights slept and now surrounded by the quiet of the marshland he delved even deeper into his
studies he read about plants and animals about farming and fishing about the stars and the
heavens he read about history and philosophy about religion and law about poetry and music
he read everything he could get his hands on devouring books like a starving man at a banquet
the winter passed and spring arrived with it new life new hope new beginnings and Alfred knew
that he had to do something he could not stay hidden forever he had to take action but now with
the return of warmer weather he did so with a new clarity of purpose he sent messengers to gather
the nobles of Wessex and summoned them to meet him at a secret location there he outlined his
plan to them explaining his vision for the future of England the nobles listened to him intently
impressed by his intelligence and determination they agreed to help him carry out his plan
together they raised an army and prepared to fight the Battle of Eaton was one of the most important
battles in English history it was here that Alfred defeated the Danes and saved England from invasion
but it was also here that he fully realized his potential as a king he had proved that he could
lead his people to victory in battle but he had also shown them that he was more than just a
warrior he was a scholar a statesman a visionary after the battle Alfred went back to he stayed
there for another 5 years ruling from the swamps during this time he continued to learn all he
could about his kingdom and its people he traveled around Wessex talking to farmers fishermen
merchants artisans and soldiers he visited schools and monasteries meeting with monks and scholars
he listened to their ideas and advice absorbing their knowledge and then little by little he began
to put his plans into action he introduced reforms in education healthcare agriculture trade and
defense he created a new legal system based on the principles of justice and equality he promoted the
arts and sciences encouraging people to learn and innovate he became known throughout England and
even in Europe as a wise and compassionate ruler one day Alfred was walking along the banks of the
river Aorn when he saw a group of children playing by the water he stopped to watch them for a moment
smiling to himself as he saw them splash and laugh and run suddenly he had an idea he turned around
and walked back to his palace when he arrived he called for his advisers and began to talk to them
about the children he had seen they are the future of our kingdom he said and it is our duty to
make sure they are well educated if we want to create a better England we must start with our
children and so Alfred the Great began the first state sponsored school system in England he also
introduced a new currency a new legal code and a new system of weights and measures he reformed
the English language creating a new alphabet and a new grammar he encouraged the translation of
important books from Latin into English so that more people could read them he also made Wessix
more friendly to foreigners especially those fleeing from war or persecution he offered them
asylum and protection and helped them to resettle in England as the years passed Alfred’s reputation
grew people from all over England and Europe came to Wessex to see the great king and learn from him
some historians say that Alfred the Great was the father of England he was the first king to unite
the Anglo-Saxons and create a sense of English identity he was also the first king to set
England on a path toward democracy he was a pioneer of human rights and individual liberty and
it all started in a swamp so next time you find yourself in a swamp don’t complain remember that
it is a place of great power and wisdom it is a place where you can learn and grow and become your
best self it is a place where you can discover the hero within you just ask Alfred the Great the
past is never dead next up is segment seven the mystery of the Bay Tapestry propaganda or proof
the Bay tapestry it’s not really a tapestry it is a piece of linen cloth approximately 50 in
or 1.3 m at the top and 22 in or 57 cm at the bottom measuring some 680 ft or 207 m in length
it was created around 1070 AD 40 years before the Magna Carta and 80 years before the signing of
the US Declaration of Independence this section is particularly significant as it shows William s
military prowess and his ability to defeat a much larger English army it is also interesting to
note that the tapestry does not shy away from showing the violence of the battle depictions of
fallen soldiers both English and Norman are strewn across the ground demonstrating the costly nature
of war however Robert had another wife named Arlet of France and he legitimized their children
making them his heirs presumptive once he had established control over England William began
to consolidate his power he took steps to ensure that his authority was recognized throughout the
kingdom and he also began to implement policies that favored his interests why because it is clear
that it was created to promote William s version of events and that it was intended to portray him
in a positive light for example Harold is shown breaking his oath while William is shown taking an
oath and defeating his enemies in battle however the Baya tapestry is still an important historical
artifact it provides a unique insight into the events that shape the course of English history
and it also gives us a glimpse into the mind of one of the most controversial figures in English
history ultimately it is up to each individual to decide what they believe about William and the
Norman conquest of England the Ba tapestry is a valuable resource for anyone wanting to learn
more about this period of history even if it should be taken with a grain of salt one of the
most significant things that William did was to issue the Doomsday Book a comprehensive survey
of the land and people in England the Doomsday Book allowed William to assess the wealth of his
new kingdom and it also helped him to identify potential threats to his authority william
was also keen to assert his dominance over the English nobility and he did this by taking away
their lands and giving them to his followers this process of land redistribution was controversial
and it led to resentment among the English nobility despite the challenges that he faced
William was successful in establishing his dynasty in England he reigned as king of England for 25
years until his death in 1087 during his reign he made significant contributions to the development
of English society including the introduction of new agricultural techniques the construction of
new buildings and the establishment of new legal institutions this meant that William was not
considered to be in line for the throne and he was treated as a bastard for most of his life his
conquest of England led to significant changes in the country’s culture society and politics and
his legacy continues to be felt today the Bay Tapestry is an important source of information
about William and his conquest of England it provides a unique insight into the events that
shaped the course of English history and it also gives us a glimpse into the mind of one of the
most controversial figures in English history despite this William was a brilliant military
leader and he was able to rally the people of Normandy behind him and secure his position as
duke when Edward the Confessor died in January 1066 there was a succession crisis in England
several claimments to the throne including William put forward their claims but it was ultimately
decided that Harold Godwinson would become king harold was a powerful nobleman who had the backing
of the English nobility and he was able to defeat two of William’s brothers who had come to claim
the throne william was furious about this decision and he felt that he had been cheated out of what
was rightfully his he assembled a large army and set sail for England in September 1066 the
most famous scene in the entire tapestry is the depiction of Harold’s death according to legend
Harold was killed by an arrow through the eye however there is no historical evidence to support
this claim and it is likely that the tapestry is responsible for perpetuating this myth nonetheless
the scene is a powerful one and it has captured the imaginations of many people over the centuries
on it there are over 600 figures depicting scenes from the Norman conquest of England in the year
1066 the final scene shows a group of Englishmen fleeing from William s troops with a burning
building in the background again this could be seen as propaganda to show William as triumphant
and the English as defeated the final scene is somewhat ambiguous and scholars have interpreted
it in different ways some believe that it depicts the burning of London while others argue that
it refers to the burning of the English fleet at Dober this ambiguity is intentional and it allows
for multiple interpretations of the tapestries meaning many historians regard it as one of the
most important pieces of medieval art in existence while others argue that it is nothing more than
a piece of propaganda but who exactly was William let’s start at the beginning here’s why they might
be right you see the origins of the Bayer tapestry are unknown though it was probably made in England
for starters there are no surviving records so we don’t know who commissioned it how it was funded
or indeed what its original purpose was well as mentioned earlier there are no written records
explaining its creation however we can glean some insights from the tapestry itself at the
beginning King Edward the Confessor is depicted as old and frail holding a flower and supported
by two this was a common motif used to emphasize the king’s weakness and inability to produce an
heir and it was a well-known fact across Europe that Edward was childless and nearing his mortal
end then comes Harold Godwinson Earl of Wessix and the man whom Edward appointed as his successor
however Harold would later go back on his word and break his oath to support William s claim to
the throne which was backed up by the pope this is depicted in the tapestry as well with Harold
depicted as having his foot resting on a lion suggesting his wild and untameable nature next we
see William meeting with the English nobility and swearing an oath on a cross to become their king
this is significant because it suggests that the tapestry was created to reinforce William’s
legitimacy as king by showing him taking an oath the tapestry legitimizes William’s claim to
the throne and this isn’t just conjecture scholars have noted that the language of the tapestry is
very favorable towards William often portraying him as noble and honorable while Harold is shown
as sneaky and deceitful for example in one scene Harold is shown swearing an oath to support
William’s claim to the throne but in another scene he is shown breaking his oath this is a
clear indication that the tapestry was created to promote William s version of events and that
it was intended to portray him in a positive light historians have put forward several theories about
the BIR tapestry and why it was made one states that it was produced to commemorate the conquest
of England by William the Conqueror and to present it to Bishop Odo of Bayer Williams half brother
who played a significant role in the battle and subsequent political events however given the lack
of evidence we cannot tell whether the tapestry was commissioned by Odo or by William himself
there’s also no record of it being referred to by name until the late 19th century and it was
una actually kept in Bayor at all until the French Revolution when it was seized by revolutionaries
and taken there it’s likely that it was called the Bayer tapestry simply because it ended up in
the town although another theory suggests that it was actually known as the history of the Norman
conquest and thus the tapestry part was added later in any case we can safely assume that it
was intended to illustrate the Norman victory but why was this necessary why make such a grand
tapestry the next portion of the tapestry depicts the Battle of Hastings in which William defeated
Herald’s forces and claimed the throne of England after the battle William was crowned king of
England and the tapestry ends with a depiction of him entering Westminster Abbey so we can clearly
see that the tapestry was intended to glorify William and his conquest of England william
was born in the Duchy of Normandy in 1027 or 1028 his parents were Robert Dy Duke of Normandy
and Hela of Fland a former Tanner’s daughter upon his arrival in England William defeated Herald’s
forces at the Battle of Hastings and he went on to conquer the rest of the country today William
is remembered as one of the most important figures in English history many historians agree that
the tapestry is nothing more than propaganda thanks for watching next up is segment 8 the
Norman Knight’s Quiet Evening After Battle the first piece shows us a Norman Knight why a Norman
Knight well that is who the artist was intending to show us here but why do I like it first the
artist has done an amazing job at showing us a night completely alone again we can see their
banners around them so they must be together they’re riding their horses across a field the
sky is gray the clouds look like a storm is coming humans who laugh and humans who cry humans who
eat and humans who sin humans who live and humans who die if you want to help us reach our goal of
reaching 200,000 subscribers make sure to leave a like and a comment below see you soon bye and
these two nights are racing away from everything everyone even God yes notice how they are running
away from the church they’re going in the opposite direction of the path to heaven what is it that
they’re running from well that’s hard to say most likely they committed some sin something horrible
something they should be punished for i think they’re guilty for something they did during
the battle something that goes against their code of chivalry chivalry was a medieval code of
conduct for knight it taught them how to act what was right what was wrong knights weren’t supposed
to kill unarmed people they weren’t supposed to attack from behind they weren’t supposed to steal
to rape or to pillage they were supposed to be generous loyal and honorable and most importantly
they were supposed to be good Christians our knights here are definitely not acting like good
Christians they’re turning their backs on the church they’re choosing sin over salvation but
why well sin is often used in art to represent human nature sin is what makes us human it’s the
thing that separates us from the divine it’s our capacity to do evil even knights despite their
power their honor and their wealth are human and therefore capable of sin but I really like the
main character here notice how he’s all alone all of the other guys are talking to each other
laughing sharing food but our knight here looks down he’s lost in thought he’s been fighting for
weeks and now that the battle is over he just wants to be left alone he’s tired he’s dirty and
while the others are enjoying their victory he’s thinking of something else what is he thinking
about well we’ll never know for sure but I think he’s thinking of home maybe he’s thinking of his
wife maybe he’s thinking of his kids maybe he’s just thinking of a nice meal cooked by someone
else can you relate to that how many of you just want to be left alone after a long day the artist
did a great job at showing this man’s weariness look at his shoulders they’re slumped he’s putting
his head in his hands his whole body is bent over in fact the only thing that’s straight is his
sword it’s stuck straight in the ground like a tombstone what I find interesting here is the
contrast between the knight and his sword the sword is young it’s shiny it’s sharp it’s powerful
but our knight is old he’s tired he’s had enough sometimes being a night wasn’t so fun after all
you get dirty hungry exhausted and all you want to do is go home and rest you know not every
night was excited to go to war many of them did it because they had to because it was their duty
they owed loyalty to their king and they knew that if they didn’t go to war someone else would take
their place many of them probably didn’t enjoy being away from home they missed their family they
missed their bed they missed their food they just wanted to be left alone we can’t see anyone else
around him but he’s totally surrounded by other soldiers they’re all around him their banners fly
but we can only see our I also love how the banner with the letters H and Y is flying up like that
it’s so dynamic it looks like it wants to fly away also the whole picture is bursting with color this
guy is dressed in red blue green white yellow he has a red tunic a blue and green circoat a yellow
belt and he’s wearing white and yellow gauntlets this guy is totally ready to fight now when we
take a closer look at the figure I want you to pay attention to his posture it is so relaxed his
chest is out his shoulders back he’s got his chin up he looks strong and self assured so why is he
standing like that well obviously he just won the battle there’s no reason to be worried now let’s
take a look at his helmet it’s a great example of a type of helmet that started appearing around
the 11th century what I mean is these helmets were often referred to as Norman helmets they are
characterized by their shape these are called conicle helmets or sometimes pointed helmets they
were typically made of steel and were usually open-faced meaning that they didn’t have any sort
of visor or anything to protect the face the idea was that the knight would wear some sort of face
protection based on the situation sometimes it would be a simple mask like this one which only
covers the nose and cheeks or a which covers everything except for the eyes on the top of the
head this helmet was most likely popular because it was more light than older styles of helmets if
you remember knights wore chain mail under their armor and the heavier the helmet the harder it
was to move around in the mail male was meant to be light and flexible so the combination of chain
mail and a lighter helmet gave the knight better freedom of movement lastly I love how the artist
drew the plume on the helmet a plume is just a decorative feather attached to the helmet this one
is clearly white and that means that this knight is either of high rank or that he belongs to some
sort of order of knight remember in medieval times colors were important white meant purity innocence
even perfection now plumes could also be made from other materials like horsehair or even metal but
this one looks like feathers to me what do you think let me know in the comments below all right
our next piece shows us some knights after the battle they’re all sitting on the ground getting
ready to eat and speaking of being left alone in our third painting we can see two knights who are
doing exactly that as you can see these paintings show us knights but they also show us the human
beings inside of those suits of armor thank you so much for watching i hope you liked these videos
next up is segment nine why it sucked to be a peasant woman in medieval England hi everyone
welcome back to the channel this time period is the middle ages it is generally considered a span
from the fall of Rome around 476 CE all the way to the Renaissance which we can date around the 15th
century that means the Middle Ages cover roughly 1,000 years however it’s important to remember
that this was not a monolithic time period to the fields to the carts to the Lord’s demands you
hum lullababis no one taught you songs that live in your bones and when you finally lie down again
you are too tired to dream but you are not weak you are part of a long line it was a time when
feudalism was refined and became the dominant social system when cities began to grow and trade
increased land owners granted land or a thief to a vassel in exchange for military service
and loyalty as agricultural production rose it became possible to feed the growing population
the climate became colder and drier resulting in crop failures and famine remember this is just
a brief overview of a very complex time period what stood out to you about life during the Middle
Ages let us know in the comments and don’t forget to check out our other videos including our
series on ancient Rome thanks for watching the Black Death a bubonic plague originating
in Asia killed millions of Europeans in the 14th century the effects of the plague combined
with widespread famine resulted in a breakdown of the feudal system labor shortages gave peasants
more bargaining power and the death of so many land owners led to consolidation of landholding
the 100red years war between England and France further destabilize the continent lasting from
1337 to 1453 these conflicts along with other factors contributed to the decline of feudalism
and the transition into early modern Europe towns and cities were expanding beyond the walls
built during the early Middle Ages and trade with the Middle East and Asia increased universities
were founded beginning in Italy and France and became centers of intellectual and cultural life
perhaps the most notable feature of this time was the enormous influence of the Catholic Church
monasteries and cathedrals dominated the landscape both literally and as the church sought to convert
those living outside of Christendom architecture during this period reflected the church’s
wealth and power with massive cathedrals taking center stage the construction of cathedrals was a
community effort and masons worked for decades to complete these large buildings cathedrals featured
stained glass windows depicting scenes from the Bible as well as ribbed vaults and pointed arches
innovations that allowed for taller ceilings and larger windows in theory the king was at the top
of the social hierarchy and owned all the land below him were the nobility who held their land
as a grant from the king then came the clergy who were ranked differently based on their importance
within the church peasants were at the bottom of the hierarchy and were required to work the land
for the nobility in exchange for protection by the high middle ages however as towns and trade
grew a middle class known as the bourgeoisi emerged while feudalism remained an important
aspect of European society especially in the countryside the structure was shifting to reflect
these changes when religious orders reached their height of power when universities were founded
and when the foundations of modern science were laid let’s explore each of these concepts further
not of queens but of keepers keepers of children of fields of recipe of prayer of memory and though
no scribe writes your name you remain like the hum of bees like the warmth of bread like the sigh of
wind beneath the thatch they complain of labor of hunger of weather but your burdens are quieter and
more constant your body is never yours during the Middle Ages minstrels would travel around singing
songs and playing instruments some minstrels were employed by wealthy nobles but others were not
necessarily hire on the societal rungs traveling minstrels would often perform at festivals and
other community events sometimes for a small fee but mostly for food and lodging when traveling
minstrels died they would often be buried in the communities they visited as such we have
archaeological evidence for the types of music they played because of graves that contained their
instrument this particular instrument Devil was found buried along with its player in addition
written records do exist for music from the era but they were often religious in nature this
was due to the influence of the Catholic Church which sought to use music to praise God music that
was not sacred was seen as frivolous funerals and other community events were acceptable occasions
for secular music however one thing to note is that although literacy rates were rising during
the high middle ages most people could not read music notation instead musicians relied on oral
tradition to pass on songs and melodies not when bearing children not when healing them not
when fearing what might happen to them midwives whisper old prayers wives whisper worse fears a
cut can kill a fever can take a toddler overnight and still the days go on the chores return you
spin wool while walking you gather herbs with eyes always scanning for snakes or thorns you
mend clothes beside a pot bubbling with soup thin soup flavored by bones you know the saints
by name you know the feast days you attend mass with your hair covered your eyes downcast you
know to fear God but also to fear neighbors one wrong word one odd glance and you might be
called unnatural a woman who speaks too boldly who heals too well who knows when animals will care or
when storms will come she may be whispered about a witch they might say even if they once asked her
for help so you learn silence you learn to bow your head if you were alive during the Middle Ages
there’s a good chance that your life would have been vastly different depending on when you lived
for example the black death occurred in the 14th century towards the end of the Middle Ages where
you lived drastically affected your experience of medieval life we can see this in Europe which
consisted of both rural and urban centers in fact at this time many cities experienced a population
boom furthermore how much power the church had over the people varied greatly from region to
region and beyond Europe the Middle Ages lasted considerably longer even into the 18th century
we’re going to focus primarily on rural life in England specifically in this episode but keep in
mind that the Middle Ages spanned the entire world this is a history channel the year is 1250 you
wake up before the sun the air is cold so cold your breath clouds like smoke there is no fire
yet no one else stirs you rise from straw that scratches your skin your dress rough spun wool
is stiff from yesterday’s sweat and dust you pull it on anyway there is no choice you are a peasant
woman in a medieval English village it is the 13th century and the rhythm of your life has already
begun the cow must be milked the goats must be led the bread must be baked the dough was set last
night beneath a cloth on the heart the children if they are not yet old enough to help cry in the
corner hungry you hold the smallest one to your chest with one arm and need with the other it is
a skill learned not in school but from watching your mother’s hands and her mothers before her the
older children are up now helping where they can learning as they go sons will take over their
father’s role one day daughters will need to know these skills to ensure the family’s survival
outside your husband joins the other men at night you light a small taper you patch what must be
patched if you’ve ever been to a Renaissance fair then you may have heard some of the music that
would have been popular during the Middle Ages the Middle Ages were a time of significant change
particularly in Europe feudalism was an economic and political system that was developed during
the early Middle Ages and continued until the Renaissance during the high middle ages there was
a population boom in Europe leading to increased agricultural production growth in towns and
villages and an increase in trade in the late Middle Ages conditions worsened across Europe
although the Middle Ages were a vast and varied period of time several key features stand out
including feudalism population growth the power of the Catholic Church and major events that marked
to the end of the Middle Ages now we’re moving on to segment 10 eleanor of Aquatain a queen who
refused to be silent let us now leave the humble cottage the smoky hearth the wall wrapped hands
and climb the stone steps of a castle where the fire burns not just for warmth but for power to
do that we need to start with this an image of her as a person not a collection of facts elena would
have worn it under a dress to accentuate her waist the dagger would have been used for a variety
of tasks from simple household chores to well fighting for a powerful woman like Alanor it would
have been a useful tool allowing her to defend herself if needed plus it served as a symbol
of her authority after all not everyone could just carry a dagger imagine the stories each item
could tell if it could speak the girdle has likely witnessed grand ceremonies and private moments
alike holding fast as Elena went about her daily life the dagger a silent observer of potential
conflicts both external and internal ready to be drawn when danger loomed the pendant perhaps a
family heirloom has silently passed down through generations offering a tangible link to Eleanor’s
past the reoquary a constant companion in times of faith and doubt reminding Elanor of her beliefs
and values the quill has been dipped in ink countless times recording important thoughts
sealing crucial deals and crafting heartfelt messages these objects aren’t just artifacts of
the past they’re characters in their own right having played a role in shaping Eleanor’s life
what other stories do they hold within their silent depth the girdle the dagger the pendant
the relic the quill what secrets of Eleanor’s life do they hold what events did they witness what
stories can they tell in her time period girdles were both practical and fashionable helping hold
up a woman’s skirt while also showcasing beautiful fabrics made of gold and precious stones it would
have been a valuable item likely serving as a gift or heirloom passed down to Eleanor reoquist were
often associated with saints and holy figures and carrying one showed religious devotion as a member
of the royal court Eleanor likely had great access to relics making this a prized possession during
her lifetime jewelry wasn’t just for decoration it also showed wealth and power for a queen it
was important to always look the part this one is meant to be a bit of both the silk would have
been expensive and rare while the gold embroidery would have shown off her status as queen and what
better way to get to know someone than through the belongings they might have owned you’ll notice
the quality of these items reflects her status as queen but remember she lived in the 12th
century so most of her belongings would have been functional not decorative here sits a woman
whose name was not forgotten a woman born in sunlight but often forced to live in shadow during
her lifetime writing was largely done by hand so a quality quill was crucial for creating smooth
legible letters additionally a fancy quill may have been gifted to her as a symbol of respect
or affection her name was Eleanor Vquitane and she was many things a duchess a queen a crusader
a mother to kings a prisoner to her own husband a woman who refused the silence history so often
demanded from her kind let’s begin where she began aquitane in the south of what we now call France a
land of trouidors of vineyards of law and learning it is here that Eleanor grows surrounded by poetry
courts of love and a rare education for a girl when her father dies she becomes the Duchess
at just 15 soon after she marries King Louis VI of France but Louis is quiet devout unsure and
Elellanena is not she speaks her mind she dresses boldly she joins him on crusade riding through
foreign lands in armor her sleeves catching desert winds but the marriage does not last they
part ways and Elellanena chooses her next husband well Henry Plantaginate who would soon become king
of England now she is not just Duchess of Aquitane she is queen of England ruling over more territory
in France than the French king himself she gives birth to eight children including two future kings
richard the Lion Heart but her story is not one of peace she does not spend her life arranging
flowers she plays the game quietly strategically when Henry begins to treat her as a possession
when he seeks other women Eleanor watches and then she moves she supports her sons in rebellion
she communicates with allies she works in whispers in letters in gifts and messengers but Henry is
no fool he captures her and for 16 years Eleanor is imprisoned in castles in chambers allowed
out only when politically necessary 16 years and still she listens she remembers and when Henry
dies her chains fall her son Richard becomes king and Eleanor now in her 60s rides again she becomes
his advisor his negotiator his anchor she travels across mountains to arrange marriages she writes
letters filled with precision and patience when Richard is captured abroad Eleanor helps raise
his ransom when he dies she supports Jon though she knows his flaws she does not chase glory
she seeks stability she ends her life in front of Rodabi not quite a nun but something like
one surrounded by choir and when she dies she is buried beside Henry though in life they often
stood on opposite sides of the chessboard even in stone her figure wears a calm expression one hand
holds a book the other rests gently peacefully but those hands once shaped empires not with
swords but with grace with persistence with the refusal to be erased and so she remains a woman
of fire who moved through history like a whisper never loud but never lost now we are going to play
a game we are going to try to get to know Eleanor of Aquitane this is a more specifically it’s a
silk girdle with gold embroidery moving on let’s look at this dagger unlike the girdle this item
was primarily functional next let’s examine this pendant moving on let’s take a look at this unlike
the previous items this one is deeply personal finally let’s look at this quill elellanena
loved to write letters and a good quill was essential while these items offer a glimpse into
Eleanor’s world they only scratch the surface as we bring our journey through Eleanor’s possessions
to a close let’s take a moment to reflect on the stories they could tell if they could speak next
up is segment 11 the forgotten lives of English concubines concubines mistresses the women who
live in the shadow of a royal wife yet bear the king’s children still have stories to tell now
from castles and queens we now turn to whispers and in their silence in their grace strategy and
survival they remind us history is not only shaped by those who shout but also by those who knew when
not to speak at all to women whose names do not fill the pages of chronicles of secret meetings in
moonlit gardens and trrists hidden away in castles powerful queens were known to have lovers too
and so these women often found themselves in a precarious position caught between the desire to
advance their own interests replacing the older term mistress or concubine was a woman who lived
with a man to whom she was not married but who was considered to be of lower status than a mistress
however all of them shared one thing in common they were outsiders looking in always aware
that they were only a step or two away from being discarded like yesterday’s news though
their stories may have been lost to history their presence is still felt today royal
concubines were the original power women strong intelligent and able to hold their own
in a man’s world they were also loyal devoted and willing to do whatever it took to protect
their position in the royal court in a time when women were expected to be seen and not heard
they managed to carve out a place for themselves in the annals of history living together both
terms describe an extramarital relationship but the concubine was generally of lower rank big
thanks to my producers and all of our patrons if you would like to help support this series please
visit our support page see you next time in the Middle Ages a king might take a concubine as his
mistress and the relationship was acknowledged in public in fact the children born to these
unions were often legitimate unlike those born to mistresses who were usually concubines could
be found in the courts of kings throughout Europe for example the famous concubine of Henry VIII
Elizabeth Blau bore him a son who became the Earl of Essex the son was legitimized received
a dupdom and went on to play an important role in English politics during the reign of Queen
Elizabeth i the need to stay on the good side of the woman who might as end their influence
over the king if the king decided he wanted to end a relationship the concubine and her children
would be cast out often with little more than the clothes on their backs however some concubines
managed to make the most of their situation by giving birth to heirs they were able to secure a
place in history for themselves and their children even if it was only as a footnote in some ancient
chronicle through their ws intelligence and sheer force of personality some concubines managed to
wield considerable power over their royal lovers they could influence appointments negotiate for
land and even shape foreign policy it was said that Napoleon’s mistress Madame Deontpan had
more sway over him than some of his minister similarly Henry VII’s mistress Elizabeth Black
bore him a son who went on to become the Earl of Essex a powerful noble in his own right jealousy
scheming and murder were not unheard of in the royal bedroom his marriage vows bound him to his
queen but his relationships outside of wedlock were neither forbidden nor scandalous eleanor of
Aquitane had a famous affair with the future King Henry II while she was still married to Louis VII
henry Duke of Normandy later King as Henry II had a long-term relationship with Rosen Clifford born
into a minor noble family their affair lasted for 7 years during that time he built her a special
garden at his manor in Woodstock complete with an artificial lake and fountains even after he
married Eleanor Rosund remained in his life until her sudden death other famous royal English
mistresses include Lady Margaret Pole who had a long affair with King Edward IV and gave him three
children and Elizabeth Blau one of the many loves of Henry VIII these were the women who captured
a king’s eye and ear but never quite as hard and while their numbers are impossible to tally their
impact on history far exceeds their small place in official accounts who bore king’s children but
never wore crowns tonight we step into the shadows behind the throne where concubines lived loved
waited and watched their names are mostly lost but their presence is not they entered the king’s
life through a variety of means often brought to the palace as young girls and educated in the
arts of pleasing a royal pallet one of Napoleon’s mistresses the contesty Montesban rose to great
heights in the court of Louis the 14th giving him six children and reigning over Versailles in her
own right while the queen was away Marita Bourbon one of Louis X 15’s mistresses received the royal
apartments at Versailles during her time at court she gave birth to four of the king’s children and
outlived him by 23 years we find them in fragments in letters not signed in court records where
they are mentioned only in relation to someone else the king’s mistress his companion mother
of his child no title no ceremony but sometimes power imagine yourself now in a quiet chamber in a
royal manner not grand like the queen’s apartments but comfortable a hearth a bed perhaps a carved
box for letters or ribbons you are not married but you are protected your food is delivered
your gowns are tailored and your presence is requested not commanded by the king you are a
part of no council you sign no laws but you hear things you learn to watch to read expressions to
understand the currents that move men more than any tide the queen has position you have access
and that is a kind of power soft hidden but real some concubines faded quickly a season or two a
few gifts then gone others endured for years they walked the line between favor and scandal they
bore children sons who might rise or daughters who might be married off to seal alliances their
children often acknowledged but not legitimized grew up in half shadow noble in blood but never
royal in name but the mother she remained in silence the court watched the queen watched
every smile could be a trap every word spoken might echo in dangerous ears so the wise mistress
said very little she smiled at the right times she wrote careful letters she gave thoughtful
gifts she became not a rival to the queen but a necessary piece on the board some were loved truly
others just simply convenient a few became nearly legendary alice Pers mistress of Edward III sat
by the dying king wore jewels in court and drew the eye of Parliament she was not born noble but
for a time she was listened to later condemned later pardoned she disappeared into quiet old age
and then there was Jane Shaw beloved of Edward IV known for beauty wit and loyalty after the
king’s death she was forced to walk the streets in penance barefoot wearing nothing but her shift
humiliation meant to erase her but the people pied her and she lived on still most concubines are
not even footnote yet they shaped lineage softened kings soothed tempers influenced appointments
banishments alliances all without signing a single decree when they died if they were lucky
they were buried quietly in country estates or in convent gardens no statues no stained glass
but perhaps a child left behind a thread a whisper a name carried forward by another their
power was invisible but never imaginary welcome to this series i am the host the royal concubine
the very phrase conjures images of lavish gifts and dramatic entrances in England a king could
have as many mistresses as he liked as long as he kept it quiet in France mistresses were officially
recognized as long as they weren’t the wife of a fellow nobleman while royal mistresses were often
given fabulous gifts luxurious accommodations and primogenature for their children the reality of
their existence was often fraught with danger it was during the reign of Henry II that the
term concubine first came into use in England despite their relatively high status concubines
were still vulnerable to the whims of the men around them not all royal mistresses were created
equal some were little more than sex slaves while others enjoyed the privileges of the royal court
thanks for watching join us next week and in the meantime keep thinking next up is segment 12 a
day in the life of a noble woman in 13th century England what would you have called this woman
lady mistress my lady madam in medieval England she would have been a wife a feudal lord’s wife
to a life wrapped in velvet enclosed in stone we want to explore what life is like for historical
men and women how do their days pass history is full of famous men and women conquerors and queens
geniuses and gods but what did everyday life look like for ordinary people what did men and women
do for fun how did they make money how did they spend their days and how did they see themselves
how did medieval women’s work intersect with their identity their sense of self and their place in
society how did they balance the demands of their work with their family obligations and personal
aspirations and how did their work contribute to the broader economic social and political
structures of medieval society we decided to create a video that explored these questions and
brought the experiences of medieval women to life we wanted to show how their work was not just a
means of economic survival but a way of expressing their identity their creativity and their agency
within the constraints of their time and society we hope that by exploring these questions we
can bring history to life for you and help you understand the world in a new way what do they
eat what do they wear what do they value what do they accomplish men and women who lived long
ago weren’t so different from us they had jobs to do hobbies families to feed friends to visit
battles to fight stories to tell and while some things changed throughout history many things
remained the same join us as we take a journey into the past to find out what daily life
was really like for ordinary men and women here lives a noble woman not royal but titled
respected watched contained she does not rise at dawn like a peasant but the rhythm of her day
is no less demanding the answer as it turns out is complicated and fascinating medieval women’s
work was shaped by a variety of factors including their social class their geographic location and
their individual circumstances but despite these differences there were some common threads that
ran through the tapestry of medieval women’s lives women in the Middle Ages were often responsible
for a wide range of tasks and responsibilities both inside and outside the home they worked as
farmers weavers brewers healers and even merchants they also had important roles in religious life
serving as nuns abbusers and saints but perhaps most importantly they were wives and mothers the
institution of marriage was central to medieval society and women were expected to fulfill their
roles as wives and mothers with diligence and devotion they managed households raised children
provided for the sick and elderly and ensured the continuity of the family line no less confined
no less silent the sun creeps through the narrow stained glass of her chamber it colors her
tapestries in crimson and gold she is already awake sleep often evades her she carries the
weight of lands names and expectations she begins with prayer kneeling on cold stone reciting verses
she knows by heart whispered into the morning silence then letters a scribe delivers parchment
she must manage household accounts arrange marriages for younger kin respond to requests
from abbies from tenants from her absent husband perhaps she adds a note to the bishop or copies
a poem she found in a book sent from France she can read a privilege and a burden knowledge brings
questions and women are not always encouraged to ask next the steward visit he updates her on food
stores crop yields a broken wheel on a tenants’s cart she nods approves assigns tasks she knows
every corner of the estate not through labor but through care lunch is light served formally she
eats little her gown is heavy layers of linen wool sometimes silk imported at great cost the weight
is familiar expected like the weight of her gaze her restraint her role in the afternoon she walks
the garden not to tend but to reflect every rose bush was planted with intention sometimes she
pauses near the chapel her fingers trace the cold stone she thinks of her mother long buried
of her daughters already promised to men they’ve not yet met she visits the nursery her younger
children are there she watches them but does not play their care is entrusted to nurse maids tutors
chaplain still they glanced up they look to her with something close to reverence she smiles
small and brief later music may fill the hall loots soft voices a ballad from an old French
tale she listens always still always composed in the evening she writes again a song a letter to
her sister at court a message to her husband still in Gaskanany still seeking land glory something
he has been gone for 6 months she does not ask when he will return the sun sets candles are lit
the stone walls glow gold then dim to gray she is alone now she removes her jewelry her sleeves her
outer gown beneath it all linen simple soft again skin grown tired she kneels once more another
prayer this time for peace for silence when she lies down the room is still outside an hour
calls a breeze rustles the ivy inside she dreams if she dreams at all of distant fields open skies
freedom but in waking she returns too stoned too duty too quiet strength she is the keeper of the
house of bloodlines of names not loud but enduring she would have been addressed as mistress or
madam you could call her my lady though that would imply that you were servant to her household
if you were a close member of her family you might call her mother sister wife or by her given name
now we descend once more not to a throne but to a manor this is one of our new series of videos
focusing on history through the lens of gender we made this video because we love exploring history
through the lens of gender but first how did we come up with this idea well it started with a
simple question what was a medieval woman’s work as we delve deeper into the topic we realized that
there was so much more to explore so many nights we’ve spent together listening to stories around
a crackling fire stories of brave knights and fair maidens of valiant deeds and dragons slain but
what of the subtle hues the gentle whispers that paint life’s intricate design tonight we embark on
a journey to unveil their stories to shed light on the silent strength that resided in the hearts
of those who dared not speak their minds what of the women who lived in the shadows their voices
unheard their presence unseen yet their influence undeniable but tonight a different tale unfolds
one of quiet courage of strength in silence her name echoed through history not just as a queen
but as a force of nature a lioness defending her pride born into a world of privilege she could
have chosen a life of leisure draped in silks adorned with jewels her days filled with idle
pursuits but Eleanor spirit yearned for more for a life less ordinary for a purpose that resonated
with the beat of her own heart a quiet strength that resonated in the spaces between words in
the pauses in the looks exchanged in the tears dried before they could fall in the laughter that
echoed a bit too loudly we saw ourselves in the peasant women our hands roughened by labor our
spirits unbowed by hardship we walked alongside Eleanor of Aquatine fearless and resolute her
spirit a beacon in the darkness we glimpsed it was in these moments of calculated composure that
their true strength lay she rode into battle not with a sword in hand but with words as sharp as
any blade and wit that could disarm a king she defied the crown when it chafed against her spirit
raised monarchs to their thrones and carved her legend in the very stones of history for centuries
history’s canvas has been dominated by bold brush strokes the clash of arms the roar of crowds the
signatures of kings here the rules of the world outside did not apply here silk dressers rustled
softly not a sound of distress or discontent the air was thick with the scent of lavender and old
money in this world smiles were carefully placed pleasantries rehearsed and tears were dried
before they could fall theirs was a life of gilded cages of suffocating decorum beneath the
surface however emotions ran deep though they dared not speak their minds their eyes windows
to their souls spoke volumes as they navigated the minefield of courtly life their every move
scrutinized their every word weighed the noble woman moved like a queen poised restrained her
every gesture a lesson in grace yet beneath the composure a tempest of emotions raged theirs
was a life of duty a heavy cloak that sometimes threatened to consume them every smile a carefully
constructed barrier every laugh a shield against the loneliness that crept in every tear wiped
away before it could fall lest it be seen duty sat heavier than any crown in this grand theater
of life their hands soft from a life of leisure yet strong from the burdens they carried their
voices gentle murmurss shaped alliances influenced decisions and were of a tapestry of change in
a world that sought to silence them these were the sanctuaries of queens and concubines figures
whose names might have been lost to time but whose influence wo through the corridors of power they
were the mothers of forgotten heirs their lineage erased their stories buried but their impact on
the succession on the very fabric of the kingdom was profound their decisions born in the quiet
of those hidden chambers reverberated through generations masters of timing they navigated the
treacherous waters of royal intrigue with grace and precision their influence though unseen was
a potent force shaping destinies and shifting the balance of power they were the quiet pillars that
held up the weight of kingdoms the unseen hands that guided the course of history yet despite
their strategic brilliance they remained shrouded in secrecy their faces veiled their voices
silenced their contributions minimized but history remembers and tonight in the flickering
glow of these candles we give voice to those whose voices were silenced for now our tailies are done
for this night we rose before dawn in a thatchroof cottage our hands chapped from cold water and
coarse bread we were peasant women our lives a cycle of toil and dream our days measured by the
sun’s climb and the rooers’s call we were mothers daughters sisters our roots deep in the soil our
branches reaching for a sky often hidden by clouds we bore the weight of ages on our shoulders the
legacy of women who walked this earth before us who knew the ache of hunger and the sting of
injustice yet we held on to hope a fragile flame that refused to be snuffed out by the winds
of hardship we found solace in the simple joys a kind word a helping hand the warmth of shared
laughter in the tapestry of our lives we were of resilience tenacity the strength that comes from
the depths of a woman’s heart the kind of strength that doesn’t break under pressure but bends with
the storm until the sun can shine through again rest now friends and when you wake let the sun
tell you of new journeys and fresh starts and until then dream of distant lands and adventures
yet to come in the tapestry of our shared history we’ve often overlooked the figures who wo their
strength in quieter ways and now let us breathe let the candles burn lower the tapestries fall
still the chambers quiet we have walked beside women whose names were remembered and those the
world forgot then we walked beside Eleanor of Aquitane a warrior queen whose spirit soared like
a hawk on high we stepped into the hush of hidden chambers where secrets whispered and shadows
danced and finally we wandered through the cool smooth stone corridors of noble life where shadows
played hide and seek and marble floors whispered ties of their own through all of it the thread
was silence a silence that was not weakness but in in the flickering candle light surrounded by
the hushed whispers of history we’ve journeyied through the lives of women whose strength defied
definition whose resilience echoed through time
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Who is watching from which country? The next video should be about the history of that country. Let's write our countries in the comments.
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Sleeping Like This Has Become a Habit Now
Как вы думаете, что было бы сложнее: быть королевой, как Елизавета I, или служить ей в тени, постоянно рискуя?