A Woman to Know: Tamar of Georgia
Who is more worthy than I to receive such a glorious throne? — Tamar
(image via Wikimedia Commons)
In 1166, King Tamar took the throne. That's right, King. as Georgia's first-ever female ruler, Tamar insisted on the title: "Holy Righteous King Tamar," in fact.
There's a million great stories about Tamar's reign: the time she claimed visions of God blessing her crown; the time she publicly divorced her husband (in the 12th century! in a profoundly religious nation!); the time she embroidered scarves for the poor protesting outside her palace. My favorite is about her military victory at Vardizia: according to legend, she led her troops into battle from the top of a mountain.
Barefoot.
Add to your library list:
Queen Tamar: Her Significance (Sargis Kakabadze)
The Girl King (Meg Clothier)
Read more:
St. Tamara, Queen of Georgia (Antiochan Christina Calendar)
The Badass Georgian Queen Who Was King (Modern Notion)
The Confident Female Ruler of the Georgian Golden Age (Ancient Origins)
Tamar the Great (Badass Ladies of History)
Queens Regnant: Tamar of Georgia (History of Royal Women)
** Send your own recommendations for women to know! Reply to this newsletter with your lady and she could be featured in an upcoming edition. You can browse the archive here. **