Distaff power
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Title
Distaff power
Detail: Image of woman (possibly Queen Gwenivere) battling a man (possibly the evil suitor and pretender to Arthur’s throne, Mordret) with her flax distaff, in margins of a manuscript (pictured at right) of Arthurian romances, France, c. 1300, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University; MS 229, . f. 329r
Distaffs for flax were weapons of choice for women in late medieval and early modern imagery. There are multiple examples of women using staffs well-loaded with flax to tilt at dragons and unwanted suitors.
Distaffs for flax were weapons of choice for women in late medieval and early modern imagery. There are multiple examples of women using staffs well-loaded with flax to tilt at dragons and unwanted suitors.