Born: 10 BCE, Germany
Died: 17 CE
Country most active: Germany
Also known as: Tusnelda
The following is excerpted from “400 Outstanding Women of the World and the Costumology of Their Time” by Minna Moscherosch Schmidt, published in 1933.
She was a daughter of Segestus, a chieftain of the Gauls, and the wife of Herman the Cherusker. She was a happy and devoted wife and the mother of two sons. In 9 A. D. some of the tribes had appointed Herman their chief in a battle planned against the Romans. Early on the day before the battle, a delegation of their own soldiers came to Herman and demanded the two sons, one six years old and one ten, to hold as hostages. Should Herman betray the tribes, the hearts of the children would be cut out and sent to their mother on a silver platter; should Herman prove true, the boys would be sent home, unharmed and laden with gifts.
At noon, the war gong sounded and Herman left. Toward evening of the same day, two Roman captains came to the tent demanding food and drink, Tusnelda knew, full well, how to serve “Lehte,” a home brew of grapes and apples, and good food. The tent was parted by hangings and, behind these, she overheard their Latin conversation, and learned they planned to abduct her on the following day after the battle, cut off her head, plant it upon a halberd and send it, with its beautiful golden braids as a trophy to Rome. She prepared and served the Romans with a stronger drink and then, smilingly, invited the captains, to accompany her through the forest. A large key, hidden in the folds of her garments, served to open a certain gate. As the captains stepped inside, she locked the gate and the bears finished the Romans. Next day, the tribes, under the leadership of Herman, won the battle and her children were returned.