Women have been demonized throughout the ages for things they’ve allegedly done or not done—depending on the general mood of society at the time. They have been used as cautionary tales, scapegoats, and worse … Are women truly so terrible, though? In Wicked Women of Yore by D. Lawrence-Young, readers are presented with the tales and facts of some of history’s most infamous women, from Eve and Lilith all the way to Ilse Koch and everyone in between.
A Quick Overview
Wicked Women of Yore by D. Lawrence-Young starts off strong with a whole chapter dedicated to the infamous ladies from the Bible. We’re talking Eve, Lot’s Wife, Salome, Delilah, and so on. Interesting facts are presented and some thought-provoking questions are asked in such a subtle way that you cannot help but wonder whether there may have actually been some prejudice when these tales were written. We move on from the Bible to learn about Messalina, the supposed nymphomaniac and serial killer wife of Emperor Claudius in Ancient Rome, who was the victim of smear tactics. Attempts were made to rewrite history and to tarnish her reputation way back when, but did it work? We skip over a thousand years and readers are transported to the other side of the world to meet Alice Kyteler, dubbed the Irish Witch. Why? Because she was unfortunate enough to marry well a few times and inherit small fortunes, of course.
An Interesting Exploration of Historical Women
Throughout this book, we are presented with interesting women who were deemed wicked because they were supposedly manipulators, conniving, adulterous, witches, or even murderers … However, if most of them were alive today, they’d probably not have been labeled any of those things. They would be doctors, businesswomen, “good investors”, maybe just lucky. I’m not entirely sure the same would be said about Elizabeth Bathory, regardless of what modern scholars say, but with an excellent PR team, she might have been able to save her reputation. 🤷 Of course, one of my favorite “wicked women” also makes an appearance in Wicked Women of Yore … Guilia Tofana, the Italian mass poisoner, who helped abused women across Italy dispose of their husbands … Wicked? Not in my opinion. Actions have consequences, after all, and as Velma Kelly from Chicago said: “He had it coming.”
Wicked or Powerful?
The question I continued asking myself was whether any of these women were actually wicked or only deemed so because people were intimidated by the power they possessed. On the one hand, women are still demonized today for a variety of reasons—and truth be told, nobody would be surprised if a modern witch hunt occurs that targets women in particular on a global scale … On the other hand, the saying “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” comes to mind. Perhaps, the history writers were exaggerating to some degree, but there may still be proof of these women’s alleged wrongdoings to be found.
All in All …
I found this book an enticing read, filled with facts and interesting commentary that remained unbiased. The images within were also a nice surprise that added faces to the names of the women in question. Readers who are looking for a thought-provoking nonfiction read that discusses women and their so-called wickedness in days gone by will find this book utterly gripping. Horror fans will also enjoy it! All in all, I loved Wicked Women of Yore by D. Lawrence-Young and would highly recommend it. 🙂
ABOUT D. LAWRENCE-YOUNG
David Lawrence-Young is a retired English teacher and lecturer who has specialized in English and military history & Shakespeare for many years.
He is also a published (USA) and exhibited (UK & Jerusalem) photographer. He plays the clarinet (badly) and is a committee member of the local History Society. He was the Chairman of the local Shakespeare Society (2008-14) and a regular contributor to “Forum,” a magazine for English teachers, and “Skirmish,” a military history journal. He is married and has two children and three grandchildren. He loves writing and researching and loves to travel.
David Lawrence-Young
2022-11-10 - 3:14 pm ·I thank you for writing such a positive blog about my book, “Wicked Women of Yore.”
I really had a great time writing and researching this book and hope that it will sell well
and cause my similar style book, “Villains of Yore’ (about UK villains since 1303 until the 20th century) also to sell well. This second book contains such lovely guys as Dick Turpin (a really nasty piece of work), Burke & Hare, the two murderers who killed people and sold their bodies to the anatomy dept. of Edinburgh Univ. in 1828-9 as well as Richard Pudlicot (1303) who pinched King Edward I’s treasury and the indomitable Moll Cutpurse. You will enjoy this one as well, I hope.
moniquesnyman
2022-11-10 - 5:00 pm ·Hi David,
You’re very welcome. Thank you for writing such a great book to begin with. VILLAINS OF YORE sounds like an excellent read, too (I do love my true crime LOL!). Keep up the excellent work!