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Nice photos and a reasonable 'intro-to-the topic' article about this exquisite shield-maiden figurine, discovered in Hårby in Denmark in 2012 and now on display at The National Museum of Denmark. What do you all think about the size of the shield? It is certainly larger than a buckler and can be considered a shield proper but it is nonetheless a little smaller than most Viking shield depictions. Personally it is has proportions that I would prefer - large enough to shelter from arrows but agile enough to be dynamic in personal combat. Probably not so good in a shield-wall. Is it a nod to perceived female lack of strength (warrior women are far stronger than non-warrior men - it just isn't that simple) or does it suggest that shield-maidens might be better suited to nimble, free-flowing skirmishing rather than standing in a shield-wall. Far too many questions and assumptions from a single piece of art of course. Guilty. However I enjoy that these little things can sometimes prompt thoughtful conversation. ... See MoreSee Less

I always think of my mother on VE day because I know she was there partying in London on May 5th 1945 – she enjoyed a party. Whenever there is archive film of the event on TV, I scan the crowds, just in case I can catch a glimpse of her. She was in the Red Cross during the war, stationed at St James’s Palace. Among her several duties was to ‘fire watch’ and radio the locations of fires to the Fire Brigade. Royal Guards, also stationed at St James’s Palace, were required to go to the air raid shelter when the sirens rang, passing on their way down the Red Cross girls on their way up to the vantage points of the towers with their binoculars. It amused my mother to run past them calling ‘Don’t worry boys – we’ll look after you.’Growing up in the 1950s, the Second World War was ever present – from squadrons of Airfix aeroplanes (of both sides) hanging in great clusters from my bedroom ceiling, to countless war films, lauding values of duty and valour, to the regular sight of limbless veterans, medals gleaming but faces drawn with despair, holding out their hats for donations. The tales of courage by ordinary (and extraordinary) men and women that come from that conflict often reveal the best of the human spirit and continue to inspire. It is right that we honour them. However we need to be mindful of the suffering on all sides. In some ways, the war in Europe was a civil war, with all the senseless tragedy that implies. The English are closely connected to the people of Germany. Our language is primarily Germanic (Anglo-Saxon); who can forget Blücher at Waterloo; our own Royal Family are German; Medieval trading links via the Hanseatic League – it goes on. Today we are strong friends. Personally I love the people and the country and feel our connection.History is messy and things don’t fit into labelled boxes as neatly as we’d like them too. It’s complicated. The Nazis were a malign threat to all that is decent, fair and moral but they were a political movement, not an entire people. Yes far too many of the people bought into their deplorable dogmas but we can see today how easily that can happen.The Nazi threat was a clear moment for the so called ‘free world’ to unite against them. Moments in history are seldom so clear but we can sometimes see patterns and ignore them at our peril. The world will always have problems but there are never simplistic answers. It will always require detail and nuance to try to get it right. Good governance requires wise heads and compassionate hearts. 1930s Germany, facing far greater problems than we do today, was seduced by populist slogans and slick propaganda. It is terrifying to see such things peddled by leaders of mediocre intellect in so many parts of the world today. I am shocked to my core when I hear young people, whose only news platform is Tikkety Tok (or some other ill-informed, 20-word catch-phrase encapsulation of a thought) voice support for some of the extreme right wing views being bandied about. Today is a good day to reflect on the calamity that can befall when an unthinking electorate clamours for easy answers and when friend, once again, has to fight friend. I hope this madness passes soon. Peace is always fragile – take care of it. ... See MoreSee Less

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