April 11, 2002

Re: Women
Shieldmaiden5

As a fencer, I can attest to the fact that a properly trained woman can equal a man in battle. Eowen has been my hero since I was 12, and I think that her influence on my young life was one of the reasons I learned to handle a sword. I am 5'4" and 120 pounds, and I have thrown the weapons of men 100 lbs. heavier than myself and put steel to their throat. Swordplay is a matter of mind more than a matter of girth and strength. I,for one,am grateful that Tolkien saw this truth.