Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Today's research snippet. Not a Rihanna in sight: 12thC ladies' names.
In the pile of books around my feet at the moment is Noblewomen, Aristocracy and Power in the 12th Century Anglo Norman Realm by Susan M. Johns. It's the book that told me yesterday about Isabel de Warenne's lovely pink seal. There's a section listing a catalogue of seals for women from the 12th and early 13th centuries. It's an interesting and informative list for any historical novelist in search of a name, reanactors seeking a persona, and just for general interest. What were the names of the day?
These are the women
Matilda, wife of Henry 1
Adeliza of Louvain - 2nd wife of Henry I
Matilda of Boulougne - wife of King Stephen
Joan - Daughter of Henry II (Often called by the Latin version, Joanna by modern writers, written as IOHE on her seal)
Alice (very popular)
Matilda (very popular)
This is the seal of Joanna, daughter of Henry II and Alienor of Aquitaine.