Women of the Highlands by Katharine Stewart sampler

mediaeval times – women of the castles
Duffus Castle, a huge, stone-built, bleak motte-and-bailey place.
Much of it still stands today, a symbol of power and authority.
Here, her name changed to Euphemia, the young bride had to
adapt to life in the Norman style, to perfect her English and to
learn French. She, who had been skilled in all the domestic arts
since childhood in Applecross, came quite quickly to manage the
household affairs of the place she was to call home. With her husband
often away, involved in political manoeuvring, combat, visits
overseas, as were many husbands of the elite, Euphemia also had
to learn the laws concerning the administration of the estate, the
appointment and dismissal of servants, and matters concerning
the Church. There was also the entertainment of important
guests. Some women entered into ‘affairs’ to promote their husband’s
interests. There is no record of this in Euphemia’s case.
All of these duties she undertook while, over the years, suffering
several stillbirths, infant deaths and thwarted pregnancies. At last a
son was born successfully whom she named Freskin, in honour of
her husband’s family, so she mothered an heir. Whether love
entered her relationship with her husband is not known, but they
did not divorce, as in certain circumstances was permissible.
Walter died in 1262. The following year Euphemia made over
her dowry lands to the Church. Her death is not recorded. She
lived, and died, a woman of her time, of her station, like so many
women subject to the will of the male members of her family –
father, husband, son – yet creating for themselves a place of vital
importance in the furthering of their adopted lineage.
Magdalen Carnegie
In 1627 Magdalen Carnegie was betrothed at age 14 to James
Graham, Earl of Montrose, who was 16. A year later they were
married. This was politically an astute move on her father’s part, to
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