"A Sturdy Dame, and a Willful" Unisex t-shirt

"A Sturdy Dame, and a Willful" Unisex t-shirtIn 1535, a Tudor bureaucrat trying to dissolve Syon Abbey wrote to Thomas Cromwell to complain about a nun named Agnes Smythe, who had physically tried to stop his officers from taking the abbey's official seal. His verdict on her: "a sturdy dame and a wilful." He meant it as a criticism. We are reclaiming it as a compliment. This graphic tee celebrates Agnes Smythe and every woman who has ever been called difficult, stubborn, or too much by someone

In 1535, a Tudor bureaucrat trying to dissolve Syon Abbey wrote to Thomas Cromwell to complain about a nun named Agnes Smythe, who had physically tried to stop his officers from taking the abbey's official seal. His verdict on her: "a sturdy dame and a wilful."

He meant it as a criticism. We are reclaiming it as a compliment.

This graphic tee celebrates Agnes Smythe and every woman who has ever been called difficult, stubborn, or too much by someone who wanted her to be less. Wear it to your next history event, your next meeting where someone talks over you, or honestly just to the grocery store.

Because some of us have always been sturdy dames. And wilful ones at that.

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This t-shirt is everything you've dreamed of and more. It feels soft and lightweight, with the right amount of stretch. It's comfortable and flattering for all.

• 100% combed and ring-spun cotton (Heather colors contain polyester)
• Fabric weight: 4.2 oz./yd.² (142 g/m²)
• Pre-shrunk fabric
• Side-seamed construction
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
• Blank product sourced from Nicaragua, Mexico, Honduras, or the US

Disclaimer: The fabric is slightly sheer and may appear see-through, especially in lighter colors or under certain lighting conditions.

This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!

Size guide