woman warrior

Medium

Digital

Artist Notes

© 2010 RC deWinter ~ All Rights Reserved ~ ~ Armed and ready for battle, the legendary warrior queen Gwendolen stands on the shore in Cornwall, about to defeat her faithless husband, King Locrinus of the Britons (ca. 9th century BC). ~ ~ According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, Gwendolen was the daughter of Corineus, ruler of Cornwall. After after her father died, Locrinus abandoned her and married Estrildis, daughter of the German king. Gwendolen swore revenge and won not only the battle against Locrinus (in which he was killed) but also the kingdom, assuming the throne and ruling as she had been taught by her father. In addition, she ordered the murders of Estrilda and Estrilda's daughter Habren. Their bodies were thrown into a river, named the Severn ('Habren') by Gwendolen. ~ ~ After her great victory, Gwendolen ruled the Britons for fifteen peaceful years and abdicated in favor of only child, her son Maddan.