As we ponder Godiva's secret letters, remember, Godiva is more than chocolate. She rode through her fears and so can you!
Dearest Ealdgyth,
My land acres of forests, lakes, rivers, shires, farms, the fields dotted with sheep, cows and horses. Yet, marriages devised by men to ally enemies, and protect borders. Wealth, politics, church power, and greed, father used all to his own advantage, with me as his pawn. Will I share with you stories from over thirty years ago? Why reopen deep wounds?
How I have hated the power of men, yet a woman learns to use it to her advantage, even for her healing. So it was with your grandfather, Earl Leofric.
Leofric, oh my Leofric. The son of kings, the warrior of warriors, cunning, astute, faithful, somber. How I sigh for the longing of him. I hated him. I loved him. I who vowed never to marry, could not resist him, engulfing my heart and mind.
Here’s to The House of Mercia! Our crest: The Double Headed Eagles. Twice as strong as the rest. No wonder the house of Wessex and Harold Godwinson must take you as his Queen! How sad that a would-be king requires a woman as a pawn to ensure his victory over England and Wales.
What does that say about his strength? Even more, what does it say about yours?
Know your power. Know yourself.
You are more than the actions of men. You are stronger than you know.
Countess Godiva, Evesham, 1064
To ponder: "You are stronger than you know" Godiva reminds Ealdgyth. Have you ever doubted or dismissed your voice, your power, your talent? I certainly have! (more on that later LOL) How do you deal with this?
When Edy sent this to me I was surprised by the extreme emotion Godiva had for her husband. It almost sounds like there was a time that she pushed him away, yet she couldn't help herself. She certainly has some strong opinions about her male dominated society. Do you think women are still used as pawns in our world? How?