Wife, mother of six, grandmother of soon-to-be fourteen, George Wythe University senior distance studies student, fiber arts docent at a museum, Constitution Party of Washington, home education advocate.
Ygraine is a character in a series of books by Mary Stewart about the life of Merlin. She is the mother of King Arthur. She was the wife of the Duke of Cornwall with whom King Uther fell in love and become obsessed. King Uther prevailed upon Merlin to use his skills to deceive his way into the Duke’s castle and seduced Ygraine. The result of that encounter was Arthur. The Duke is later killed in battle fighting for the very King who betrayed him. King Uther then married Ygraine but Arthur was sent away in secret because the King was mindful of his betrayal and wanted no shadow over any legitimate heir. Ygraine was a virtuous, lovely, gracious woman who had many burdens to bear, not of her own making, yet she bore them well, remaining a true Lady for all her days.
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Hester Pryne of The Scarlet Letter
Hester Pryne was a ficitional character in a book by Nathaniel Hawthorne who was convicted of adultery and forced to wear a Scarlet Letter "A" upon her bodice for life. As devastating as the wearing of the letter and the resultant treatment by the villagers was to Hester, she slowly began to seek her solace in serving others. By bearing her burden with quiet resolve she won the hearts of most her neighbors. Her force of spirit counteracted the physical abuse and she became balanced within her soul. It was the source of her wisdom that attracted the women to her when she returned to the village in the end, to live out her life. She became the Wise Woman of the Village, the Wise Woman of pagan times. In her simple grey dress with its symbolic letter, she represented all the Wise Women of times past, in convents and in legends such as the Lady of the Lake of the Arthurian lore. The same women who were often innocently persecuted as “witches.” Hester became whole because she openly faced her crime and bore the consequences with patience. Her suffering and compassionate sharing with others helped them to become whole as well. She is a good example of perseverance in the face of adversity.