Customer Reviews

Five Euphemias: Women in Medieval Scotland, 1200-1420

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This book about five women named Euphemia in medieval Scotland, all related to the earldom of Ross, does an outstanding job of extrapolating from the very limited biographical information on its subjects to explain clearly, lucidly, and entertainingly the social and political context of their lives. I especially enjoyed the portrayal of 13th century Gaelic culture in the first chapter and the treatment of the handicapped "fifth" Euphemia. Those not closely familiar with Scottish history may become lost in the wilderness of relationships and names, but the view of the flowers, forest and the trees along the road is well worth the trip.

The book handles the lives of 5 women of the family of the Earls of Ross - all with the name of Euphemia. The 3rd Euphemia married King Robert II and the 4th married his notorious son, the Wolf of Badenoch. The portrait of the Wolf of Badenoch is quite balanced and not as black as he is usually described. His wife Euphemia had the nerve to sue him and finally ask for a divorce. Since little is known about these women and their lives were mainly ruled by men, the book also describes the period in history. The book is good reading and as a Scotland and history lover I enjoyed the book very much.

This was a pretty quick, simple read, so I don't regret buying or reading it... but overall I was a bit underwhelmed.

Ms. Sutherland devotes a section to each Euphemia, but unfortunately that's never really enough. For the earlier ones, it seems to be not enough information about them. This is actually rather maddening, since there seems to be plenty of information about the first Ephemia's sister, who, frankly, seems to have led a more interesting life anyways. But I guess the title couldn't be "The Four Euphemia's and One Euphemia's Sister." It's unfortunate, because the first Euphemia isn't that interesting and most of Ms. Sutherland's discussion of her is made up (in a historian's sort of "we don't know, but it might have happened like..." way).

So there isn't enough information about the first 2 Euphemias... but then I felt that the information about the other 3 was a bit rushed. The 3 later ones are all very important, in their own way, and only having a chapter devote to each was rather annoying.

Despite my gripes, the book was a simple, enjoyable read and I learned a lot about Scottish history and the role of upper class Medieval women. It was interesting to see the proof of social mobility in Medieval Scotland, and basically the rise of a family, and then the annhiliation of a particular branch due to circumstances beyond anyone's control.