Tag: history

History, Uncategorized, Women and History

The Tragic Life of Catherine of Valois

L.M. Hosler

The Neglected Young Princess

Catherine of Valois was born a princess of France on October 27, 1401. Catherine was the daughter of King Charles VI and Isabeau of Bavaria. She spent her life as a neglected child of this royal couple.

King Charles often suffered from bouts of madness. and was often referred to as “Charles the Mad” or sometimes the Mad King. Meanwhile, her mother, Isabeau of Bavaria, would act as Regent for France in her husband’s place during his spells of madness. Rumors spread that she was much more interested in her young lovers than her children.

Brothers and Sisters

Although King Charles VI and Isabeau of Bavaria had a total of twelve children only a handful of them lived to become adults. Some that did survive died early deaths. Three were given the name Charles and two were named Jeanne after babies that had not lived very long.

  • Jeanne of Valois (two were named Jeanne)
  • Charles (three were named Charles)
  • John
  • Philip
  • Marie of Valois
  • Michelle of Valois
  • Dauphin Louis (brother)
  • Isabelle of Valois (Catherine’s older sister)

Catherine of Valois

Catherine of Valois

Catherine being the youngest child was probably the most neglected. She faced many challenges due to her father’s madness. Her mother’s lack of interest also affected her life, so she certainly did not live the life of a pampered fairy tale princess. Catherine did spend some of her young life growing up at Poissy Convent which was the basis for her religious education. Catherine was raised understanding that she would be merely a pawn when it came who her future husband would be. There had been negotiations since she was fairly young regarding a possible marriage to the future king of England, Henry V.

I believe that like most young princesses of Europe, she hoped for love and a family with her husband. Yet, her marriage would be to whichever member of European royalty was most beneficial to France.

Signing the Treaty for Catherine and Henry's Marriage—Isabeau of Bavaria and Charles VI at the Treaty of Troyes
Signing the Treaty for Catherine and Henry’s Marriage—Isabeau of Bavaria and Charles VI at the Treaty of Troyes | Source

Peace Through Marriage

King Charles VI reign was filled with war (known as The Hundred Year Wars). One effort at achieving peace was through marriage. Isabelle, Catherine’s older sister was married to England’s King Richard at a mere six years of age. The marriage was never consummated due to her young age and the early death of King Richard in 1400. She was held in England for some time after Richard’s death before she was allowed to return to France.

King Henry V

King Henry was a young man when he was crowned the king of England. For much of his father’s reign, the royal English family fought with France. This conflict came to be known as the “One Hundred Years War”. King Henry V signed a treaty with France on May 21, 1420. In the treaty, he demanded the return of lands that had once belonged to England. This was the Treaty of Troyes which also included Henry’s marriage to the young eighteen-year-old Catherine of Valois. A large dowry was also included in the marriage contracts.

Wedding of King Henvy V and Catherine of Valois

King Henry V and Catherine of Valois were married on June 2, 1420, and Catherine was crowned queen of England in February 1421. The royal couple soon welcomed their only son Henry VI heir to both the English and France thrones. Their marriage proved to be a brief marriage. Henry V died on a battlefield in 1422 leaving a twenty-one-year-old widow and an infant son. Henry VI was only an infant when his father died. His two uncles, the Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Bedford, controlled the government.

Queen Catherine was sent off to live quietly, at Baynard’s Castle, with only a small household staff. Her brothers-in-laws who were controlling England were concerned that if Catherine were to remarry, any new husband might influence the infant king and they would lose their power over the boy and England.

Forbidden to Love Again

The two dukes and the English parliament had specific ideas on how this young widow should conduct herself. She was also the mother of the boy king Thus they decided how she should be allowed to live her life. Therefore, parliament passed a law that forbade Catherine from establishing romantic relationships and she was forbidden to marry again without parliament’s or her young son’s approval. Any man with a title or lands would lose both his title and his land if he were to marry King Henry V’s widow. No man was willing to take the risk of angering parliament or losing their lands or titles. As her son was only a year old and would not be able to give his consent for years, Catherine’s fate had just been sealed. She would never be allowed to return to France, love again, or have more children to love.

The Queen’s Secret Love

But Catherine was lonely and a very young widow. Catherine was only in her early twenties and wanted to love and marry again. She wanted more children also. However, she was shut away from society in a huge castle with little company other than those who were her servants. She was even deprived of her young son, the future king. Henry had nurses and governesses and was allowed little time with Catherine.

At some time, Catherine met and became involved with a young handsome Welsh gentleman who was in charge of the royal wardrobes. Owen Tudor was in reality a high-ranking Welshman. Thus, the two of them began a secret love affair. Although there seems to be no record of their marriage, and though it was forbidden, Catherine and Owen were secretly married. A marriage that would produce more children for Catherine to love but would also have tragic endings for both Catherine and Owen. When the marriage caught the attention of Parliament, Catherine entered a nunnery and died a short time later. Owen would be captured and imprisoned. Owen eventually escaped prison and served with Catherine’s oldest son King Henry VI but was later captured by the enemies of Henry VI and was beheaded in Hereford marketplace. He was buried in Hereford.

Children of Owen Tudor and Queen Catherine

Owen Tudor an Catherine had several children together but two would play a huge part of English royalty history. Catherine’s oldest son King Henry VI would later make his half brothers and sisters legitimate and bestow them royal titles.

Edmund Tudor 1st Earl of Richmond and father of the future king Henry VII.

Jasper Owen Earl of Pembroke who would help to bring Henry VII the crown of England.

There may have been two daughters and another son named Edward but this is unknown for certain.

Catherine’s grandson would later become king making Catherine the wife of a king, the mother of another king, and the grandmother of the first Tudor king.

References

© 2021 L.M. Hosler

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Hitler, Sabotage And Horseshoe Curve

L.M. Hosler

The Horseshoe Curve located near Altoona, Pennsylvania was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1967. The Horseshoe Curve draws thousands of visitors daily to view the engineering achievement of John Edgar Thomson. It’s history as well as it’s breath taking scenery, makes it a popular tourist attraction. It is especially beautiful in the fall. That’s when the mountains are showing off their trees with leaves of colorful red and gold.

In the mid 19th century, railroads were beginning to provide easy fast transportation. The railroads were becoming valuable to business and industry as a way to move people and products. Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Railroad were looking for a way to ship those products and supplies west. However, the Allegheny Mountains stood tall and was impassable for trains.

On February 15, 1854, the Horseshoe Curve opened for travel. It solved the problem of the Allegheny Mountains. It allowed passage from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh in both directions. This allowed passengers and goods faster transportation. From 1854, the Horseshoe Curve was a bustling, busy place. Freight and passengers could now travel quickly to the west or the east coast.

In fact, the HorseShoe Curve became a major, important railway system for supplying troops in World War II. it carried supplies, heavy equipment and troops to the east coast. From there, the supplies and troops were sent to Europe on ships. The Horseshoe Curve gained Hitler’s attention and he planned to sabotage several vital areas in the United States. Destroying this major transportation hub would help to cripple the flow of troops and supplies to Europe. The Horseshoe Curve was just one of Hitler’s targets.

Hitler gave orders to recruit young men who spoke English and were possibly familiar with areas of the United States. These young men were sent to a training camp near Berlin on an estate named Quentz Lake. They were taught various sabotage tactics, shooting, fighting, explosives and throwing hand grenades.

On Saturday, June 13. 1942 a submarine coasted underwater and landed just a hundred miles from New York. George John Dasch and three other men left the submarine on a beach with instructions on specific targets to sabotage. Horseshoe Curve was on the list of targets. The plan was to make it to New York where the Hell Gate Bridge was also a target. The list of targets also included the New York Water Supply and Newark Penn Station.

George John Dasch

Unfortunately, for Dasch they landed near a United States Coast Guard station. Although they were not apprehended at that time, the coast guard was suspicious and started a search of the beach. They quickly came across tracks that led them to where the Nazis had buried their supplies in the sand. Those supplies included explosives and other sabotage related materials. They promptly notified the FBI and other authorities.

Dasch and his three other saboteurs, Ernest Peter Burger, Heinrich Heinch and Richard Quirin all made it to New York. Dasch was having cold feet and so was Burger. There equipment had been found and was of no use to them now. Just two days after landing in the United States, Dasch made a phone call to the New York FBI. He then went to Washington, DC where he was arrested and questioned. Dasch agreed to work with the FBI and supplied them with information about the others he had come ashore with. He also supplied information about another group of Nazis who had landed in Florida. On June 20th, the other seven saboteurs were arrested through the information he provided.

Trail of the eight men accused of sabotage
CREATOR: gd-jpeg v1.0 (using IJG JPEG v62), quality = 98

Military Trial

On July 2, 1942, President Roosevelt ordered a military tribunal. The court was to try all eight men who had planned sabotage against the United States. Attorney General Francis Biddle and Judge Advocate General Cramer presided over the trial. They were assisted by seven military officers.

August 3, 1942 all eight men were found guilty. Six were sentenced to death. Dasch and Berger were given life sentences due to their assistance with the FBI. The military insisted on using these six men as examples. They wanted to ensure that Hitler and his Germans would not be eager to try sabotage against the United States again.

August 8,1942 Six of the Nazi plotters were put to death in the electric chair. All were buried at Potters Field, Blue Plains, D.C. In 1948 George John Dasch and Ernest Peter Burger were released from prison and returned to Germany.

Thus the death of these six men ended Hitler’s plans of invading and blowing up critical manufacturing, transportation and water systems in the United States.

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Anne and Josie Basset Wild West Sisters

L.M. Hosler

Annie and Josie Bassett were the daughters of Herbert and Elizabeth Basset. Herbert was an educated man who had been a teacher and then later served in the Union Army. During the gold rush years, his brother Samuel headed west. Herbert decided to move his family west because of his health. The family ended up settling in Brown’s Hole, Colorado. Brown’s Hole also had close borders to Utah and Wyoming. His wife, Elizabeth, renamed it “Brown’s Park” because of its natural beauty. The family settled down there and built a small cabin, started ranching, and their family grew to four children.

The Basset Family

Herbert tended to be quieter and calmer than his beautiful, wild wife. The Bassett family was very social and welcomed everyone into their home. Strangers, church-going neighbors, travelers, and many times even outlaws hiding from the law. Butch Cassidy was one of those famous outlaws. He was romantically involved with both Anne and Josie Bassett at different times. Members of the Butch Cassidy gang, the Wild Bunch, were welcome visitors.

Elizabeth Bassett, Anne, and Josie’s, mother was a beautiful woman. She could ride rope, shoot, and rustle cattle as well as the men who were devoted to the family. These men would do anything Elizabeth or her daughters asked them to do. Even if it meant breaking the law. Her two daughters took after her. After Elizabeth’s death when she was only 37, the sisters took over running the ranch. By this time, there was a feud starting between the small ranches and the big cattle barons. This feud was particularly between the Bassets and the Two Bars Ranch.

Butch Cassidy and The Wild Bunch

Anne Basset

Anne was involved with several of the outlaws that hung out at the ranch. But then she did become engaged to Matt Rash. Before they were married, though, the owner of the Two Bar Ranch brought in a hired gun. Tom Horn was hired to hunt down cattle rustlers, and Matt Rash was shot and died. After this, things escalated between the two families. Anne would drive many of the Two Bar Ranch cattle over a cliff in revenge. At one point, she stood trial for cattle rustling but was acquitted. Both Anne and her sister were admired and respected. The cowhands they worked with had a great respect for these two women. They admired them for their ability to run a ranch and work right along with the cowboys. Queen Anne, as she was often referred to was well-liked. On the other side the cattle rancher was so disliked that Queen Anne was given a parade in honor of her acquittal.

Josie Bassett’s cabin in Cub Creek

Josie Basset

While Anne was the more daredevil of the two girls, Josie was more domesticated. However, she could hold her own on the ranch, riding, roping, shooting, and rustling cattle. Josie was married five times. She divorced four of those husbands, and the fifth was rumored that he died of poisoning. Josie was charged with his murder but was acquitted. The fifth husband actually died from alcoholism. In her later years, she was asked if she poisoned her fifth husband. Her answer was a smile, and she just said that some husbands are harder to get rid of. Josie also stood trial for cattle rustling, but she also was acquitted. In her later years, close to forty years old she built a cabin in Cub Creek. During the years Prohibition Laws were in effect, Josie made her own whiskey, wine and brandy. Here at her cabin she lived off the land for the next fifty years. Josie died in May 1964. She had lived long enough to see automobiles, electricity, television and phones and two world wars.

Anne and Josie Bassett were an interesting pair of sisters. They grew up running wild and were friends with known outlaws. They were women who were before their time, women who took control of their own destinies. They were liked and respected for their independent natures. They did what women weren’t supposed to do. They became women legends of the old west.

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Ella Watson Victim or Villain

L.M. Hosler

The story of Ella Watson is a two-sided story. Ella Watson was a woman who owned a small ranch in Wyoming. She became known as a cattle rustler, outlaw know as Cattle Kate. There is the story the newspaper printed. This account was printed immediately after Ella and her boyfriend or partner were lynched. But then there is the story that was told after more facts were discovered. Ella Watson has been portrayed as an evil villain, but that is probably not the real story.

Ella married her first husband when she was only eighteen years old. She left him when he proved to be an abusive husband. She moved to Rawlings, Wyoming, where she first worked in a hotel. She also did something that was unheard of in Wyoming in those early days. Wyoming was not yet a state but a territory. Ella, a woman, filed a homestead claim for one hundred and sixty acres of good grazing land. After filing for the land she started raising cattle. The men in the territory did not take a woman rancher well.

Ella also met Averell Verill, who was many things in the small town near the Sweetwater River. He was the postmaster and land surveyor, ran a small general store, and was the justice of the peace. Ella helped him in his store, and he probably helped her with her homesteading claim. Averell also purchased land or filed a homestead claim. Between the two of them, they had a rather nice but small ranch.

Lawless Wyoming

This was a time when there was almost no law in Wyoming. Cattle barons owned large ranches, and the cattle business was booming. The cattle were allowed to roam and sometimes wandered from the herds. Sometimes, unbranded calves and cattle were hard to prove just who owned the cattle. At first, this wasn’t a big problem because the cattle barons were still making high profits. However, there were several seasons when drought hit the area and the market for beef bottomed out. The grazing land became overused from so many herds of cattle, and water became an issue.

Jim Averill Ella’s Partner

Ella and Averell owned property with a fairly good water supply. However, they had fenced-off sections of their property. From Western stories and movies, we have heard about cattle ranchers and deadly fighting over water rights. I would guess that this is what started the dispute between Ella Watson and the rich cattle barons.

Wed August 7th. 1889
https://www.newspapers.com/image/171821412/
Newspaper Heading declaring Ella Watson a Cattle thief

On July 20, 1988, a group of landowners, who were probably drunk, went to Ella’s cabin and forced her into a buggy. After they had Ella, they went after Averell. Ella and Averell were then hung from a cottonwood tree. It was then that the stories began. Stories that Ella had been rustling cattle and that Averell had been running a house of prostitution in town. There really was no evidence of any of these claims. But this is what the newspapers printed, and these stories spread across the United States. These stories made Ella out to be a villain and female outlaw of the West. The men who did the lynching were never tried or brought to justice.

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Proud American with a Blend of Cultures

L.M. Hosler

I really don’t know exactly what my cultural heritage is. I have never done any DNA testing. The only thing I do know is that some members of my family traced our roots back to Ireland. And for some reason, I feel like I should have some Scottish ancestors. I don’t know why but Scotland fascinates me. I don’t know but I think there might be some German ancestors in the past. My mother’s cooking was a lot like the Pennsylvania Dutch is why I am saying that.

I am extremely interested in someday visiting both Ireland and Scotland. I would be interested in everything from their music, dances, festivals, holidays and foods. i would love to experience all of those. Both Ireland and Scotland have beautiful country sides with amazing scenery. Castles and history are also part of their past. I would love exploring some of those castles.

Edinburgh Castle in Scotland Enrohm1963

Since I don’t really know much about my cultural heritage, I am going to say I am a proud American. I am proud of the traditions that millions of other people from different nations brought to our country. Americans have a rich history of combined cultural heritages. In America, we can experience Chinese, Mexican, African, Amish and so many other wonderful foods and cultures. We can visit Indian Reservations and learn about their culture, foods and traditions.

I am a proud American. Proud to be living in the land of freedom.

Daily writing prompt
What aspects of your cultural heritage are you most proud of or interested in?
View all responses

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Essential Hurricane Preparation Tips for Safety

L.M. Hosler

Hurricanes have always been a part of history. Hurricanes are severe storms of high winds and rain. They can be deadly and at best are destructive storms. Hurricanes like Katrina and the 1900 Galveston hurricane will forever live in the history of deadly hurricanes.

Hurricane Carol 1954

Hurricane Season Has Started

Hurricanes can be very dangerous and can often be deadly. This is why it is important to plan ahead and be well prepared. Planning ahead for a hurricane can help to save lives. It can reduce potential damage to valuable property. It can also reduce the stress of surviving a hurricane. On average, five hurricanes strike the United States coastline every three years. This period is known as the hurricane season.

I lived in a hurricane area for several years. During those years, I was very lucky to experience only one major hurricane, Hurricane Ivan. But those years did teach me that being prepared was essential for those living in hurricane zones.

Before Hurricane Season

If there is anything good about hurricanes, it’s that they can usually be tracked with great accuracy. Residents living in hurricane areas will have several days to prepare and to evacuate if necessary. There are even some things you can do to prepare well before hurricane season begins. Here is a list of things you can do to get ready long before there’s any threat of a hurricane.

Important Things to Do When Living in Hurricane Zones

  1. Make sure that all your trees and shrubbery are kept well trimmed.
  2. Make sure the outside of your home is clear of clutter. This clutter will need to be put away in case of a hurricane. Outdoor furniture (such as patio sets, chairs and umbrellas) and garbage cans will need to be easily placed inside. Prepare room indoors for these items. Doing this ensures they can be quickly moved inside if there’s a possibility of a hurricane occurs.
  3. During a hurricane, you will want your windows boarded with plywood to protect them from flying objects. Plywood should be purchased in advance and then cut to fit each window. Mark the plywood so you know which window each piece of plywood fits. These should then be stored in a safe place for the next hurricane because eventually there will be another hurricane.
  4. Chances are good that after a hurricane your home will have at least some roof damage. It is a good idea to buy tarps and store them with the plywood for the windows. After a hurricane, tarps are in great demand. Tarps will be needed to protect your home from further damage due to rain.
  5. If you can afford to buy one, get a generator. A good generator can run a few lights, the refrigerator, and the freezer which will save your frozen foods.
  6. One of the most important things you should do is make sure your home insurance is adequate. Check to be certain that it will cover your home and exterior buildings, structures and fences.

Be Aware Of Where The Hurricane Is Headed

I remember watching hurricane coverage for days. If there was a hurricane prediction we stayed tuned to the news. Even workplaces had the news on and we all spent as much time watching the news as we did working.

Important Documents

Store all important documents in plastic in a fireproof and waterproof safe. If you need to evacuate, you can simply grab this quickly and have your important documents with you. It may be wise to make copies of important documents. Keeping them in a bank or with relatives who are outside the hurricane area is a good idea. Documents that you should keep in a safe place include the following:

  • All insurance policies
  • Birth certificates
  • Marriage Certificates
  • Property deeds
  • Credit Card Information
  • Medical Information
  • Social Security Cards
  • Vehicle Information
  • Health Information
  • All financial paperwork, checks and all savings and investment records

Make Sure Your Car Is Ready

Make sure your car is well maintained. Ensure it has a full tank of gas in the event that you will have to leave the area. Those that do have gas will also have a long line of people waiting to fill their cars. If possible, try to buy several five gallon cans of extra gas. After the hurricane, gas stations will take some time to fully function. You will need that extra gas for the car. If you have a garage, put your car in it. This will protect it from flying objects. You can even use your car to brace the garage doors. Park it as tight to the garage door as possible.

Supplies You Will Need

As previously mentioned, you should have a generator. It is more than likely you will not have power for several days after the hurricane. A generator can keep your refrigerator and lights working as well as some small appliances such as the coffee pot.

You should also have a supply of canned foods, bread, and various drinks including bottled water. A radio or battery-operated television is essential to stay updated on events. Ensure you have all different types of batteries available. Flashlights are essential, so make sure they are in working order with good batteries. You can also purchase headlamps which you can wear on your head while keeping your hands free. These lights can also let you read, play cards or games when there is no television. Kerosene lights and kerosene may be kept on hand or battery powered lanterns.

A grill or a camp stove is important. These will allow you to use any meat in your freezer. Otherwise, the meat may spoil. Without electric, you will need an alternative way of cooking. You will also need to keep several bottles of propane for the gas grill.

As I mentioned, you will need a good supply of water on hand, both for drinking and for washing. Before a hurricane hits, it is a good idea to fill as many containers of water as possible. Filling the bathtub is also a good idea. For drinking water, have several gallons for each person. It is important to ensure there’s enough on hand.

Money Matters

Having cash on hand after a hurricane is something you might not think about till later. Many of us have gotten used to carrying very little cash on us. We just pull out that convenient little plastic bank card. But after a hurricane, banks are not going to be operating for a few days till the power is restored. The same thing goes for most places where you might use your bank card. So it is important to have a fair amount of cash on hand. So don’t forget to visit your bank before a hurricane closes down everything.

Essential Food Supplies

The following items are often items you might already have in your cupboards. However, check to make sure you will have enough food on hand for at least a week. Before and after a hurricane the shelves in most stores will be empty so stock up early.

  1. Canned items
  2. Crackers and cereal bars
  3. Pudding cups and fruit cups
  4. Dried fruits
  5. Nuts
  6. Anything that is easy to open and won’t perish
  7. Bread
  8. Peanut Butter
  9. Canned milk or dried milk
  10. Bread and lunch meats
  11. Manual can opener

Additional Precautions to Stay Safe and Healthy

Anyone who is taking medications on a daily basis should have at least a week’s supply. Also make certain to check your first aid kit to make certain you have first aid cream, bandages and antiseptics.

It would be a wise idea to discuss your hurricane plans with your family. Everyone should know what the plan is. If you plan to evacuate, each person should know what items they will be allowed to take with them. They should each know the destination you will be heading for. This will help if anyone gets separated along the way. You will need to make sure everyone has a fully charged cell phone. This ensures all family members are able to stay in touch at all times.

These are some of the major things that you will need to do. These are items you should purchase to be prepared for a hurricane. You should also listen to your local Emergency Management office for local information. They can keep you informed where local shelters will be located, emergency evacuation routes and other safety issues.

Nothing can stop the stress, loss and heartbreak that hurricanes can cause. Lost personal items such as photos can never be replaced. But hurricanes can be survived by preparing in advance.




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Cathay Williams: First Female Buffalo Soldier

L.M. Hosler

Cathay Williams

The Civil War was finally over on April 9, 1865. The slaves were set free, but there were few jobs or opportunities for anyone, especially an African American woman.

Cathay Williams was one of those young African American women. She had been born the daughter of a slave and a free man in Jackson County, Missouri. In her teen years, she worked as a house slave in Jefferson, Missouri. When the Union took possession of the state of Missouri, the Union army often employed freed slaves. They were used in positions such as cooks or for doing other domestic work. At just the age of seventeen, she worked for the army as a cook and did laundry for the army. This enabled her to travel all over the country under General Philip Sheridan.

Cathay Williams in the United States Army

After the war ended, Cathay made the decision to join the army. Since women were not allowed to enlist, she disguised herself as a young man. She was described as being tall with dark skin and short dark hair. So it wasn’t all that hard for her to be mistaken for a man. What was hard was passing the physical exam. But somehow, the army doctor did just a very quick exam and passed her. She enlisted using the name William Cathay. She served with the 38th U.S. Infantry Regiment. Cathay served for about two years until repeated illness sent her to the hospital several times, where eventually, a doctor discovered her gender. She was given an honorable discharge on Oct 14, 1868.

Cathy Willaims also known as William Cathay Army discharge papers

After her discharge from the army, Cathay joined what came to be known as “the Buffalo Soldiers.” She was the first official female African American to serve in the United States Army. Years later, the St. Louis Times wrote about the story of Cathay Williams. She was the first African American woman to serve in the military. When asked what motivated her decision to enlist in the army, she replied. She said it was her desire to be independent.

Cathay Williams left the Buffalo Soldiers when she became disabled and was no longer able to carry out her duties. Although she had some severe disabilities linked to her service in the military she was denied disability from the U.S. Army. The reason given was that she had enlisted under the wrong name and gender. Cathay died in 1893 in Trinidad, Colorado.

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Calamity Jane: Legend of the Wild West

L.M. Hosler

Women who lived in the 19th century, in the western states had to grow up to be tough. There were limited options for women in the 19th century. Women were generally confined to traditional roles. School teacher, wife, mother or possibility cooking or cleaning jobs were the acceptable role expected of women. But some women, like Calamity Jane, had to learn to shoot, ride horses and defend themselves. They had to learn to be as rough and tough as the men in the West in order to survive.

Calamity Jane

Calamity Jane was born May 1, 1852, as Martha Jane Cannary. Her parents were Robert and Charlotte Cannary, and she was the eldest of six children. Her parents were a rather rough and hard-living couple who moved the family from place to place looking for work. They died when Martha Jane was still very young, only 12 years old. Martha Jane was quickly forced into doing whatever she could to survive and keep the family together. As she grew into a tall, stocky woman, she often did the work that men usually performed.

The Legend of Calamity Jane

She moved to Deadwood, South Dakota, and this is when the legend of Calamity Jane really began. Here, she met Wild Bill Hickok, and rumors flew that they were romantically involved, although this is questionable. She worked, dressed, swore, and drank just like the men did. She worked as an army scout and was a sharpshooter with a rifle. Soon, Martha became known as Calamity Jane and became a Western legend. She made history by touring with Buffalo Bill’s famous Wild West Show in 1895, showcasing her sharpshooting skills. In 1901, The Buffalo Bill Wild West show appeared in Buffalo, New York at the Pan-American Exposition. The Pan American Exposition was opened by Vice President Theodore Roosevelt. The Exposition was in many ways analogous to the World’s Fair. One of its attractions was the Indian exhibits. These showcased TeePees and the sharpshooting Buffalo Bill Wild West show.

Calamity Jane in 1901 at the Pan American Exposition

Calamity Jane was quite a character of the old wild west. How much of her legend is true is debatable because Calamity Jane was a known storyteller. Her tales were often not just colorful but highly exaggerated. Martha Jane’s legacy taught women that they were capable of more than being cast in traditional roles.

Calamity Jane, despite her fame, I believe, did not have a very happy or easy life. Calamity Jane was a heavy drinker and died an early death. She is buried next to Wild Bill Hickok in Deadwood, South Dakota.

The graves of Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane

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Tragic Tales of Failed Royal Marriages

L.M. Hosler

Failed Royal Marriages

We often think of Prince Charles and Princess Diana when discussing disastrous royal marriages. Maybe Prince Andrew and Fergie Anderson also come to mind. It’s true those marriages didn’t turn out well, but there were several other royal marriages that also failed. King Henry VIII had five failed marriages before he married his last wife, Katherine Parr.

Several of his marriages ended in divorce, and at least two of Henry VIII’s wife were beheaded. That is really a tragic end to a royal marriage. But then we also have the story of the Prince of Wales and Princess Caroline of Brunswick. Their story is less known, but it is the story of another royal marriage that turned into a disaster.

Prince George Frederick Augustus

Prince of Wales, George Frederick Augusta, the heir to the British throne. Known as Prinny to his friends
Prince of Wales, George Frederick Augusta, the heir to the British throne. Known as Prinny to his friends | Source

Prince George Frederick Augustus

Prince of Wales, George Frederick Augustus was born at St. James Palace in London on August 12, 1762. His parents were King George III and Charlotte Mecklenburg Strelitz. He was their first son of fifteen children, although one of those children died at a young age. George, being the oldest, was given the title of Prince of Wales and heir to the throne. George was a charming young man when he wanted to be. He was also rather a handsome sort and well educated to fit his status as the future King of England.

George was very well-dressed and took great pride in being fashionable. George also indulged in heavy drinking, gambling and womanizing. He had at least two relationships with women who were older than he was. One of those women was named Mary Robinson. The other woman was Maria Fitzherbert. He was deeply in love and deeply in debt due to his excessive spending.

The Secret, Not-So-Legal Marriage

George had fallen in love with Maria Fitzherbert. She was a woman who had been married twice to two older men. Both men had left her widowed. George was totally captivated by the young, beautiful woman with light blonde hair and flawless complexion. Maria was a Roman Catholic and a widow, making her an unacceptable wife for a future king. George was a determined young man. He finally persuaded Maria into a secret marriage. It was performed at her house with family members as witnesses.

Neither King George III nor parliament had given approval for this marriage. As heir to the throne, George IV needed approval from both the King and parliament. Without these, it could not be recognized as a legal marriage under English law. Shortly thereafter, Maria was delivered a letter stating that her relationship with the prince was finished. Sometime later, the pair did reunite after he had married and separated from Princess Caroline. Rumors suggested that Maria gave birth to several illegitimate children. These children were rumored to be fathered by Prince George over the years of their relationship.

Princess Caroline of Brunswick

Princess Caroline of Brunswick was George’s cousin, although the two had never met. She was the daughter of his Aunt Princess Augusta of England and the Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel. She was said to be rather bold, coarse, loud and rude in her manner of speaking. Her sense of fashion was almost non-existent. Her clothing was out of fashion and was often worn without proper washing. Her own personal hygiene was also lacking. She neglected to wash properly most of the time or change and wash her undergarments. As a result, she often had an offensive odor.

This is rather strange. A young woman with servants to look after all of her needs would surely have clean, suitable clothing available. Of course, Caroline had her good points as well. She was kind and generous. She was known for her charity work. She loved and fostered several homeless children later in her lifetime.

Princess Caroline of Brunswick

The Prince and Princess Meet

The first meeting of the Prince of Wales and his soon-to-be bride Princess Caroline got off to a very rocky beginning. He did not find her attractive at all. He had no wish to marry anyone at that point in his life. Princess Caroline was also 26, which at that time was considered to be an age unfit to get married. He already had his mistresses to keep him happy. Truthfully, he was repulsed by his future bride. The only reason that Prinny (his nickname) had agreed to marry at all was that he was heavily in debt.

Parliament had agreed to cover his debts if he married, and Princess Caroline was chosen as his bride. Princess Caroline was disappointed. She felt humiliated by the way the Prince had treated her at their first meeting. At a later supper, Caroline was rude. She talked and laughed loudly about subjects that should not have been discussed at the supper table. Perhaps she was just very nervous and insecure at the time. In any event, neither of them made a good impression on the other one.

The Wedding

Prince George and Princess Caroline on their wedding day Source: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

Prince George and Princess Caroline were married at St. James Palace on April 8th, 1795. His father was delighted to see his son get married. However, it was not a day of happiness for the future king of England. It is said that he was drunk during the ceremony and continued to drink for the rest of the day. When the couple retired to their bed-chambers, George was so drunk that he fell to the floor. He spent his wedding night passed out on the floor.

George managed to do his duty at some time. He had relations with Princess Caroline, who became pregnant almost immediately. With an heir on the way, the prince ignored Caroline completely. Their daughter, Princess Charlotte, was born, and the couple separated soon after. Princess Caroline was forced to leave her infant daughter with her father.

Princess Caroline, the Lonely Queen

Not much more than a year after they were married, Princess Caroline moved out of her husband’s residence. She took up residence at Blackheath, London. How lonely the new Princess of Wales must have felt in a foreign country with few friends of her own. Blackheath was located to the southeast of London and was a wealthy area. Here, the estranged wife of the Prince of Wales was lived with fewer restrictions. At BlackHeath her behavior and activities sometimes caused scandals.

One of those scandals was when she took in an infant, and some people whispered that she was the mother. This incident caused King George to form an inquiry into her activities. Although the inquiry proved she was not the mother of the infant, the king no longer welcomed her. She was not allowed in his household anymore.

After losing the king’s support, Princess Caroline left England and traveled throughout Europe. She created more scandals with a handsome young Italian servant that she had employed. Imagine the scandal they caused as they traveled together. Despite the scandal this may well have been the happiest time of Caroline’s life. Sometime during Caroline’s years abroad, several things changed. Her only daughter, Princess Charlotte, married Leopold George Christian Frederick, became pregnant and died in childbirth. Her husband, Prince George, had also taken over as Regent for his father, who was mentally unstable.

Caroline Returns to Be Queen but Is Put on Trial

In 1820, King George III died, officially making the prince, King George IV and Caroline the Queen of England. She returned to England and expected to be crowned queen alongside her estranged husband. Now king, George refused to have Caroline crowned as his queen. Instead, he wanted to be rid of her and needed grounds for a divorce. At his insistence, parliament put her on trial. They claimed she had committed adultery with her Italian man servant, Bartolmeo Pergami. They also accused her of other indiscretions.

Much like Princess Diana and Prince Charles’s public divorce, this one also had everyone in England engaged. The princess had her supporters publicly supporting her cause, and the prince had his own supporters. Unlike modern-day royal dramas, the only thing missing was television and social media.

Eventually, parliament ruled in favor of Princess Caroline. King George was denied his divorce. A divorce would have allowed him to remarry and produce another heir to the throne.

The Final Insult to the Queen

By rights, Princess Caroline, still legally married to King George III, was now queen even if the marriage was a total disaster. She expected to attend the king’s coronation and be crowned queen alongside her husband. But the king would not allow her to be crowned with him. He left orders that she would not be allowed to enter Westminster Abbey, where the coronation was taking place.

Caroline showed up to the coronation anyway but was refused entrance into Westminster Abbey. Basically, the door was shut in her face. Therefore, she was never officially crowned Queen of England. Princess Caroline of Brunswick later became the Princess of Wales and was the uncrowned queen of King George III. She died within a few short weeks after receiving the final insult from a disastrous royal marriage.

King George IV served as his father’s regent from Feb 5, 1811 until he was crowned King O England Jan 20, 1820. George served as king until his death on June 26, 1830.

Queen Caroline attempts to enter Westminster Abbey for King George IV coronation but is refused entry.

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Exploring Knowledge: Skills in Writing, History, and Health

L.M. Hosler

Where to start?? There are so many topics I would like to study and have more information about. I would like to have more knowledge and skills about history and writing. Health, money, and laws are also of interest to me.

https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/blog/womans-exponent-womens-rights-and-suffrage?lang=eng

I Want To Be Creative

I have always wanted to learn to make soap, candles, and rugs. I would also like to learn weaving. How’s that for a list of things I will probably never have the time left on earth to learn. I also want to add this. There are a lot of good books which I will never have the time to read.

Writing is something I would like to have a better knowledge of. I want to take some courses in writing. One thing my writing needs improvement on is dialogue. For me, history goes with writing. Writers are recorders of history so I would wish for better knowledge of history.

Health, Money, and Laws

These are all topics that most of us should have more knowledge of. They affect all of our lives. The better I understand health and the things that affect my health, the better my body and life will be. As I get older I wish for a better understanding of how my body works. I need to know and understand about medicines and medical tests and procedures. Health also has the elements of history and writing. Here again, it is writers who document health reports and studies.

Doesn’t everyone wish for more knowledge about money? How to earn money, spend it wisely and invest it to make more money. I know I have always wanted to learn more about those topics.

Another topic I have often wished I was better informed on the topic of laws. I have sometimes encountered situations in which I would have like to be more informed about laws. Lawyers are very expensive and thankfully I have not had much need for lawyers.

Kritzolina  Creative Commons 

My Creative Side

Someday, I am going to find the time to learn how to make candles, rugs and weaving. I also want to take a course in pottery at some point. These are all topics I hope to explore some day. I would also like to learn to do some real weaving. These are my topics I would like to learn more about. Dreams for the future.

Daily writing prompt
Which topics would you like to be more informed about?
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