Queen.

A look at some of the Queens and Consorts of the English throne.

Ælfwynn poor girl a first in many ways,

One might say succession from mother to daughter,

Granted Mercia in the house of Wessex,

Bloody times of men lead her to slaughter.

Medieval is dear Emma of Normandy,

A proud and gleeful consort she hollowed,

The confessor she bore for the crown,

Never feeble in years that struck and followed.

The most pious Matilda of Scotland,

A true descendant of Alfred the Great,

A lively and musical court she held,

Never letting sorrow come forth and abate.

The always countess Matilda of Boulogne,

Married Stephen however ruled with wit,

A maker of many but none for the throne,

Yet stopped her cousin a sly little bit.

Berebgaria of Navarre ruled sided and not,

For she thread never on English soil,

A husband for King though hardly seen,

Childless and prayer filled her coil.

Joan of the tower rested easy in Scotland,

Drawn a lot to marry as a mere slip,

Though estranged she visited him often,

Died early herself and without any quip.

Joan of Navarre what little we know,

Held without penny for a queen is bold,

A regent yet gave her son's a keeper,

Pledged to the country where she grew cold.

Here a mere taste of what was to come,

Yes, Elizabeth's and Anne's and Victoria oh my,

The devils danced and the angels ever stern,

A Queen is a Queen even in days gone by.

Author's Note

A lesson perhaps, do enjoy.

Reviews

[Neville]

What wondr'ous verses my friend you have told such snippety clips from the lives of past queens.. containing much truth and a few in-betweens a fine lesson in hystorie, or so it seems.... gadzooks my lord how bloomin well writ.. tra la la la lee and now I must flit.....

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

Thank you.

[JamesTleBourn]

I like the history of this, poem, you seem very knowledgeable! I like the rhyme, good read

James

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

Thank you.

[Robert Trakofler]

my understanding of royalty is somewhat limited I have bits and pieces from here and there but not a very good grip on it. Here in the states we shed that yoke a while back... until recently that is, now we have a self appointed king one equally as acquainted with the concerns of his subjects as say perhaps the good emperor Caligula? but I like these epitaph stanzas rather clever I'd say:)

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

thank you.

[gram linski]

great history lesson and keeping the form and rhyme , well done, good poem

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

Thank you.

[Paul Bell]

Was Elizabeth a brutal Queen, or was it just the times she lived in.
Not sure either, but did they also class her as a genius.

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

Thanks for the review

[Coyote Poetry]

Queen Elizabeth. I like a lot. A soldier and tough lady. I have read story of her life. She is a example of what a women can be. I enjoyed your dance of words. The words Queen. Is a powerful words. Thank you dear Thomas for sharing your amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

Thank you CP.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome my friend. I always enjoy your work. I have working like a dog. I am a night manager at a pharmacy. Finally three days to gather my mind.

[Chris Shaw]

I like poetry that informs. An interesting look at the history of the Queens or consorts of England, many of them not being of English stock, but foreign royalty. Elizabeth and Victoria, two whom even those who hate history would surely recognise as being great women. Women who certainly lived in a time where their rights weren't considered. Good composition.

Chris

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

Absolutely, thank you for the review, I have to say Elizabeth 1 always impressed me, because she ruled, the last queen to rule, where as the others reign, a powerful woman indeed.

[Chris Shaw]

Magnificent woman, fearless who was surrounded at all times by would be assassins. She made incredibly difficult choices which must have kept her awake at night. You are absolutely right, she ruled, others have reigned. A huge difference.

[Gee]

A history lesson in verse, well done Thomas.

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

Thank you Gee.

[Gee]

My pleasure :)

[Rania M]

A lovely view of some legendary queens. Thanks for this one as I'm interested in history and certainly will be googling some of the names you mentioned here. My favorite reading has always been Queen Elizabeth I. Now that was a queen after my heart! I also love reading up on Henry the VIII and his six queens.

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

Thank you I have to say Victoria was always my fav.

[Einstein Noodle]

nice history .. especially like the connections of the English from Vikings to ... today. love your closing verse ... neat and tidy :)
E.

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

Thank you.