Oh, I know, I just wouldn't quite put them at the time of King Arthur (which, I realize historically would be even earlier than it is usually portrayed).
The kingdoms they mention on the show (like Mercia) are actually Anglo-Saxon, so I'm assuming they are putting the show there. Now, like I said, even in Anglo-Saxon times women had the right to inherit property and represent themselves at court (though admittedly at the meadhalls, their duty was also to sort of serve on the noble men at feasts by handing them the goblets, much like Eowyn does in LOTR). In Anglo-Saxon times, monasteries were frequently lead by powerful abesses. (It wasn't until the Normans conquered England that the women had their rights taken away) It wouldn't be a too big step to go from there to having queens, particularly since Merlin is fantasy and I don't think dragons really existed either :-)
Oh, I like myself some political intrigues though I admit that thing about Morgana came pretty much out of nowhere. I sat there going, "But didn't he throw her in the dungeon in season one? Are they pulling an SPN on me???".
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Date: 2010-10-11 07:07 am (UTC)The kingdoms they mention on the show (like Mercia) are actually Anglo-Saxon, so I'm assuming they are putting the show there. Now, like I said, even in Anglo-Saxon times women had the right to inherit property and represent themselves at court (though admittedly at the meadhalls, their duty was also to sort of serve on the noble men at feasts by handing them the goblets, much like Eowyn does in LOTR). In Anglo-Saxon times, monasteries were frequently lead by powerful abesses. (It wasn't until the Normans conquered England that the women had their rights taken away) It wouldn't be a too big step to go from there to having queens, particularly since Merlin is fantasy and I don't think dragons really existed either :-)
Oh, I like myself some political intrigues though I admit that thing about Morgana came pretty much out of nowhere. I sat there going, "But didn't he throw her in the dungeon in season one? Are they pulling an SPN on me???".