Queens

See Kings.

The lady of a big household must:

manage the house on a daily basis;
account for all incomings and outgoings;
supervise the staff;
address their needs;
settle their squabbles;
ensure that guests are treated appropriately;
know everything that happens;
advise her husband;
lead skilled womanly work like weaving;
ensure that any trusty man left in charge does what she wants;
if a queen, supervise many households and the kingdom;
bear heirs;
ensure the primacy of her sons as against those of lemans;
use her influence to help some men despite rousing hatred in others;
learn from everything.

Yet another year turns as Gunnhild's life proceeds:

"Spring lost itself in summer, balefires blazed when the sun turned, the year waned toward fall, and again Gunnhild went heavy with child." (p. 137)