A Queen of Men

Book VII Ethandune: The Last Charge from G.K. Chesterton’s “The Ballad of the White Horse” puts before our eyes the vision King Alfred has of Our Lady standing over the battlefield just when he has rallied the Christians to make a final charge at the Danes, albeit that there is seemingly no hope left:
“One instant in a still light
He saw Our Lady then,
Her dress was soft as western sky,
And she was a queen most womanly –
But she was a queen of men.

Over the iron forest,
He saw Our Lady stand,
Her eyes were sad withouten art,
And seven swords were in her heart –
But one was in her hand.”

She was a queen of men.  Just as the typical feminism-afflicted woman of today is repulsive and disturbing, so is the effeminate male stripped of his masculinity utterly sickening.  We’ve all seen that stomach-turning sight of the mousy father who permits his child to treat him as if the roles were reversed.  Finer Femininity shares some thoughts from “The Catholic Family Handbook” in the post Fathers, Reflect the Dignity of God's Fatherhood. “You should exert your authority as a father even when your children are babies. Your word should be something strong, good, and a little to be feared.”

Dr. Mary Kay Clark writes for Seton Magazine, St. Margaret of Scotland, Queen, and Home Schooling Mother.  She, too, must have been a queen most womanly, but also a queen of men, as her example had such a strong influence on King Malcolm and consequently the entire kingdom.

And one more for the men, here’s a quiz from The Art of Manliness, Do You Have a Sense of Humor? A Quiz from 1928 for a bit of fun.

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