Where are the Women?

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medieval stone cross



 This weekend, as we pensioners are wont to do, we made a last-minute decision to go a few days to the West of Scotland. I wanted to visit the area of Kilmartin. Although the museum is not open (yet - and no announcement, neither onsite nor on the website when it will open) you can visit many of the ancient monuments. We drove around a lot (the weather not conducive to a beach walk) and followed little lanes which promised access to ancient monuments. And there are so many in that area!

We got to Kilbride Church and saw the magnificent medieval grave slabs, (https://www.friendsofkilbride.scot/, if you are interested), saw a lonely standing stone at the end of the road in Ardpatrick and went along another lane that brought us to Kilberry Church. Although the church doesn't exist anymore, some of the glave slabs had been rescued and were on display. All these medieval dignitaries, portrayed with their regalia, their swords and in their harness or mail-chain protection - they all got their slab, to show how important they were in life. Still imposing in death. 

As always, Historic Scotland is not the best with interpretation. A minimal sign, pointing out some of the important features on the slabs. Very little on where the artwork originated from, or what types of nobles were buried there. And that is when it hit me.

Where are the women? 

I know we mustn't look at the past through the glasses of the present but I found it shocking that of all the slabs and monuments we saw not one was of a woman. Were there no noble-women? Were their lives of so little importance that they didn't warrant a grave monument? In an idle moment (not that I have many of those) I will try and fnd out about the customs in Medieval Scotland when it concerns the burial of women. Have they left no trace?

That is why I had to smile when the oldest lipstick ever found was unearthed in a graveyard in the Middle East. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-68553433). Bright red, it was and 5000 years old. Now that is getting your priorities right!

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