The Secrets of a Good Marriage: Maid Marian

[I hereby extend an invitation to other historical fiction bloggers to take up this question with historical or literary figures of interest to them! Not every choice will represent a truly happy marriage. For instance, I am sure Edward II's queen can give advice based on negative experience! If you don't have a blog, I will be happy to post your list here.]

Maid Marian

Well, first of all by my very name you should know I am not married. Even if I stayed a maiden after marriage, heaven forfend, no one would call me "Maid Marian". But Robin and I have been together as a couple if not with a consummated marriage, so I can imagine what a married woman would take from my wisdom.

1. Be patient with a man who is aware of his duty. I know the Scripture says a woman, and I assume a man, should cleave unto their marriage, but come on, the King is bound to trump that duty. Robin had to go to the Holy Land with the Lionheart. It would have done no good to nag him about it.

2. Wait for him while he is in the army. He may not be celibate, but giv4en the possible consequences you will have to be.

3. Don't marry a man for his social rank or money. You never know when those will be taken from him, or for that matter, tossed aside by him.

4. Stand by your man. Even if you are Prince John's ward.

5. Be flexible. You might want to live at Huntington Castle, but your marriage may not turn out that way.

6. Keep your camping skills honed.

7. Get along with his friends.

8. Don't marry a man whose politics you don't share, or stay away from the topic.

9. Don't give up on him. You don't want him coming back from the Holy Land the second time to find you've taken a job as an abbess.

10. When your man's back is really up against the wall, be prepared to help him out with a quick exit whatever it costs you. You never know when those herbalist skills will come in handy.