“Torqueblade training, for ladies? Women will never go for it”.
This is what I have been told over and over again by qualified professionals in the fitness industry. It amazes me that the movers and shakers have such a low opinion of the female resolve. But of course they surely don’t mean this. What I assume they mean to say is that the Torqueblade regime will not be hugely popular with the normal regular female fitness fanatics, after all only men like to play with blades – Ha! What about pirates of the Caribbean, Resident Evil, Guardians of the Galaxy ? Ok I know, a films.
But, here is an interesting fact, did you know that there have been many ancient warrior queens’ throughout history, here are a select few from as many different cultures as I could find. (You can find anything on the web if you try hard enough go to http://ancienthistory.about.com).
The Rig-Veda, a sacred poem of India, tells the story of a warrior, Queen Vishpla, who lost her leg in battle, was fitted with a false iron leg to return to battle.
Circa 1550 BC and Egyptian Queen Aahhotep I led armies against Thebes and helped to unite Egypt under one rule.
Hittite fortresses dating to 1300 BC have paintings depicting woman warriors carrying axes and swords.
The Biblical Judge, Deborah, was a war leader during the occupation of Canaan 1250 -1050 BC.
Arabian warrior queens Zabibi and her successor Samsi reigned from approximately 740 to 720 BC. Both commanded armies containing large numbers of women.
Bouddicca queen of the Iceni. According to Tacitus, Suetonius, told his troops that “in their ranks there are more women than fighting men.”
In 39 AD Trung Trac and Trung Nhi led a Vietnamese uprising against the Chinese and reigned as queens until 43 AD. Their mother Tran Thi Doan trained them in martial arts and led troops into battle.
In 366AD Empress Jingo Kogo led a Japanese invasion of Korea. She was pregnant when she invaded Korea and had to have adjustable amour made.
Mavia, was Queen of the Bedouin Saracens from 370 to 380 AD. She led her troops in defeating a Roman army then made a favorable peace and married her daughter to the Roman commander in chief of the eastern Emperor Valens.
An English Saxon Princess led an invasion of Jutland in the 6th Century. In the 8th Century Queen Aethelburgh destroyed Taunton. In the 9th Century Queen Thyra of Denmark led her army against the Germans.
So there you have it, through out history many women have taken up arms or at least trained with them to much benefit.