War has played a key role in the history of the United States, from the nation's founding right down to the present.

Wars made the United States independent, kept it together, increased its size, and established it as a global superpower.

Hi, I'm James Early, host of the Key Battles of American History podcast.

In each episode I discuss American history through the lens of the most important battles of America's Wars.

To start listening now, go to pathanonpodcast.com or search Key Battles of American History on your favorite podcast and platform.

The history of North America podcast is a sweeping historical saga of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, from their deep origins to our present epoch.

Join me, Mark Vinet, on this exciting, fascinating epic journey through time,

focusing on the compelling, wonderful, and tragic stories of North America's inhabitants, heroes, villains, leaders, environment, and geography.

I invite you to come along for the ride.

Welcome to the History Unplugged Podcast, the unscripted show that celebrates unsung heroes,

Mythbust's historical lies, and rediscoveres the forgotten stories that changed our world.

I'm your host, Scott Rank.

Hello everyone, welcome to an in-between episode where I answer any question you can throw at me.

Today's question is this, who do you think is one of the most powerful women in the Middle Ages?

Okay, this is a very interesting question.

I would like to nominate someone, and that is Athel Flade, I don't know if my pronunciation is correct, because I don't know Old English,

but Athel Flade of the Mercians, who is the leader of a realm in England from 872 to 1918.

Here's why I think she was so fascinating.

People think that J.R.R.R. Tolkien based the character of Eowyn, the shield made in a vero hand off of her,

and as a queen, she wasn't just a strategist, she wrote out into direct combat with her soldiers

against Vikings. Now the image of a medieval woman that might pop into your mind is a lady sitting

here in an open window looking wistfully into the distance with a hat that looks like a giant

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