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Little is known about 15th-century Welsh bard Gwerful Mechain, but here’s what we do know: She threw down some slappin’ feminist rhymes in the “rap battle” equivalent of poem exchanges with her male counterparts. Find out what made their repartee so fun and flirtatious, and learn about her most iconic poem, “To the Vagina,” while Amy tries her very best not to blush!

Mentioned in this episode:

“To the Vagina” by Gwerful Mechain (translated by Katie Gramich)

The Works of Gwerful Mechain edited by Katie Gramich (Broadview Press edition)

“To the Penis” by Dafydd ap Gwilym

Ieuan Dyfi

Dafydd Llywelyn

British Library’s “Medieval Women in Their Own Words”

Lost Ladies of Lit Episode No. 164 on Christine de Pizan

Lost Ladies of Lit Episode No. 236 on Margery Kempe and Julian of Norwich

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