Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/230

216 an early taste for literature, this lady possessed great beauty, modesty, and wisdom. While her husband was engaged in war, she maintained peace and concord in his family, and among his vassals. She acquired great reputation by her eloquence and her learned writings, of which it does not appear that any have reached the present times.

a woman of Uncommon courage.—"A representation of her," says Mr. Gaillard, "is still to be seen over the gate of the city, with this inscription: Carcas sum; the corruption of which has undoubtedly given name to the place. She undertook to avenge her husband's death; and sustained the siege with so much bravery, that Charlemagne left her in possession of the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the city. Afterwards the Saracens came, and insulted the Countess of Carcassone under her own walls; jesting at the idea of a female warrior, and recommending her to spin rather than to fight. Arming herself therefore with a lance, to which she affixed, as to a distaff, a quantity of hemp, leaving only the point bare; she set fire to it, and rushed into the midst of the enemy, whom she filled with terror, and