Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/26

12 was sunk in ignorance and sloth. Amongst the women, who particularly distinguished themselves, was this lady, daughter of the duke Ahmedi, so that "she was honoured and esteemed by kings." Her poems and orations were frequently read with applause in the Royal Academy of Corduba. She was a virtuous character, lived unmarried, and left behind her many monuments of her genius, and a large and select library.

her cousin-german, Doujoun, who was then upon the throne, by whom she had two sons. After the death of her husband, she governed her territories, and brought up her children with great prudence. A miraculous history concerning this princess, which was probably first invented to do honour to the great families descended from her, is believed in all these countries. As the leading features are taken from the birth of our Saviour, it might induce one to believe, that the northern nations formerly professed Christianity.

the daughter of a blacksmith; and her mother was a female barber, by whom she was brought up a milliner. During the confinement of general Monk in the Tower, she officiated as his sempstress, and became first his mistress, and afterwards his wife. He had so high an opinion of her understanding, that he consulted her in the most important concerns; and, as she was a thorough loyalist, it is supposed she contributed greatly to bring about