Meet Gisela, Daughter of Charlemagne

Gisela was probably born sometime between 770 and 781. No birth date was ever recorded for her. She was the second or third daughter of King Charles of the Franks (Charlemagne) and his wife, Hildegard of Savoy. Gisela's mother was Charlemagne's first wife. Hildegard and Charlemagne had 6 children before Hildegard died.

Gisela was educated at Aachen, the site of Charles' castle. This town is located in Germany near the city of Bonn and close to the Rhine River. Her father was a very religious man and his chapel still stands today. Charlemagne believed in education and thought it important that his children be able to read and write.

Some girls were sent to monasteries to study, but Charlemagne had his daughters educated at home. Gisela would have more than likely been educated by Alcuin, an Anglo-Saxon scholar brought to the castle by her father. In her lessons, Gisela would have studied Latin. Most books were written in Latin. She would have written on wax tablets with a stylus.

Gevrehan, Daughter of Sultan Mehmet II

Gevrehan was the only daughter of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II. She was probably born sometime after 1450.

In 1453, her father conquered the city of Constantinople and renamed it Istanbul. In the newly named city, he started many colleges and universities. Education and justice were very important to the sultan.

Gevrehan had four older brothers. Her brother, Bayezid, became the sultan after their father. Gevrehan and her family probably lived in the Eski Saray Palace that once stood in Istanbul. Gevrehan would have lived with the other women in the Harem.

There was much trade and business in the city of Istanbul. The Ayasofya (or Hagia Sophia), formerly a Christian place of worship, was transformed into a mosque. Her father was very tolerant of other religious practices and allowed Christians to continue their worship. Great changes were occurring in Istanbul during the time that Gevrehan was growing up. It was a very exciting time.

Meet Adele, Daughter of William the Conquerer

Adele was the daughter of William of Normandy (also known as William the Conquerer) and Matilda of Flanders. William eventually conquered England and became King there.

Adele was born around the year 1062 in Normandy, France. There are some sources that say William and Mathilda had 10 children, but others say nine. Because birthdates for girls were not always recorded, it is hard to be sure.

It is possible that her family spent some time in England after her father became king.

Adele was probably around four years old when her father left to invade England and conquer King Harold.

The invasion is depicted in a tapestry that was commissioned in 1077 by Adele's uncle, the Bishop Odo. It is known as the Bayeux Tapestry and is currently on display in a museum in Bayeux, France. It was more than likely made in a monastery in England. It was always a French traditional belief that the Queen was responsible for the production of the tapestry.

Adele was also able to read and was taught by various teachers. One of the first copies of the St. Alban Psalter was made especially for her. Many young girls and women read every day from their book of hours.

Adele lived to be 70-75 years-old, while one of her brothers lived to be 74. Very few people during Adele's time lived to be that old.

To find out more about Adele, visit http://www.medievalmaidens.net.