J.R.R. Tolkien's Warrior Woman: Éowyn - Part 2b - The Basis for Her Character

In previous installments in my series on Éowyn, I introduced her (click HERE) and provided examples of women from mythology and history that may have inspired Tolkien to create her (click HERE).  In this article, I continue discussing women warriors the British  author may have also been aware of since they were from his homeland.

Waterloo-There Were Women Soldiers There, Too!

Today marks the 200th anniversary of the battle of Waterloo and the death of several women soldiers who fought there.   And while the sacrifices of the men are remembered today, let us also honor the women among them who also suffered and perished while performing the same duties as their male counterparts.  These women were disguised and weren't discovered until after they died.

While helping bury the dead, volunteer Charles Smith of the 95th Rifles found the body of a French woman in a location of heavy fighting.

British troops found the bodies of two more Frenchwomen during a lull in the fighting.  Captain Henry Ross-Lewin of the 32nd Regiment of Foot wrote, "I saw one of them.  She was dressed in a nankeen jacket and trousers, and had been killed by a ball which had passed through her head."

There were several women among the casualties on the British side as well.  Mary Dixon was one of them.  Her 16-year service in the military while disguised ended at Waterloo with her death.

From Wikipedia

Sources:

http://www.historynet.com/napoleonic-wars-women-at-waterloo.htm
http://www.regrom.com/2012/01/19/regency-women-of-character-women-at-waterloo/
http://waterloomatchofthecentury.blogspot.com/search/label/women%20in%20war

Until next formation.....rest.