Honored Matres: The Rise of the Dominatrix Sisterhood | Dune Lore Explained

An exploration of the origins, ideologies, and actions of the Honored Matres, examining their role in the Dune universe. Around 2000 years following the events of Frank Herbert's God Emperor of Dune novel, an intriguing all-female group known as the Honored Matres emerged. This dark sisterhood quickly rose to a place of power in the Imperium serving as a sinister mirror of the Bene Gesserit. Spoiler warning if you are unfamiliar with Frank Herbert’s Dune saga.

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[Stitchman]

I remember the Honored Matres we so superior to the Bene Gesserit militarily they were called inhuman by the BG. The HM decentralized their nervous system to the point where their bodies can respond to a threat before they even know it's happening. The HM were definitely stronger and faster. But the BG were more tactical. Thanks for uploading. Hope to see more videos on the Honored Matres.

[ugoeze]

“The Honored Matres eyes turn orange when enraged”

_Uncle Palpatine’s curiosity has been caught_

[theresag.]

I think the most compelling thing about the Honored Matres is the fact that they use anger as the basis for their power. It speaks to the true nature of anger.

[hucklebuck]

Thank you for another detailed explanation of one aspect of Frank Herbert's rich Dune universe. Here are a couple of other details concerning the Honored Matres. The Honored Matres were so hated by their enemy, the Ones of Many Faces (possibly descended from the Bene Tleilax Face Dancers?), that they created a vicious hybrid human/animal mix, Futars, to specifically hunt and kill Honored Matres. However, the Honored Matres were able to capture and control some of these creatures, keeping them as pets. The Ones of Many Faces also developed "the "weapon" a device so powerful that it could sterilize entire planets. In fleeing their enemy, the Honored Matres were able to steal a limited number of these weapons to use in their attempted conquest of the Old Empire.

[thomriley]

I would love some sort of deep dive into the history of the Lilith parable in the Monomyth in pop culture. Every franchise seems to do the thing where there the idyllic kingdom/faction/race has a dark secret in their past and it comes back in the form of a race of seductive matriarchal poisoners. Vulcans have Romulans, D&D elves have the Drow, Sword of Truth had the Mord-Sith, and the Bene Gesserit had Honored Matres.

[Jared_Wignall]

Dune and dominatrix. I didn’t expect to see such a video made like this, but it’s defiantly interesting all the same. Great work Elaine, have a great rest of your week!

[NewsRedial]

The Honored Matres were a fascinating late addition to Herbert's Dune universe.
They were the equivalent of 12the century Mongol hoards in their utter brutality and the way the Mongols were burn entire cities to death for resisting conquest. The HM even fried the entire planet of Dune (Rakis).
A way in which they were the polar opposites to the Bene Gesserit is that the BG, for all their faults and ruthlessness, were ultimately motivated by empathy for human kind and a desire to craft a super being that could guide humanity to a more enlightened, less cruel existence. Where the BG lacked any trace of empathy; even for their own kind.
I was horrified to read of how they harvest the drug they rely on. That they lock a person (I think males only) into a machine that just tortured them forever so their brain produces a certain drug that is syphoned off. Just imagine the worst pain you have or could possible experience, then imagine being kept in that stay of abject agony for months and years and possibly decades with no end. All the while, the HM staff going about their business around you with zero empathy for what you are going through.

My memory may have been influenced by the non cannon sequels to the six Dune books written by Frank Herbert, but I got the impression that the Honored Matres were fleeing Omnius and the machine empire.

[yecnay]

I wish we had gotten a conclusion to the series. The Thinking Machines returning just as Leto predicted and hopefully his preparations made Mankind able to survive. As for the Matres I have some hope them being joined together with the Gesserit at the end will create a force able to keep the machines at bay, but the Matres were driven out by them once already. Not to mention Marty and the Sapient Face Dancers.

[calolson]

I found them terrifying when I first read about them... Talk about a devastating, twisted force!

[maxmercer]

Imagine how cool Frank Herbert's book 7 would have been. If he had lived it might have been published 1988 - 1996 time window.

[Danger_Noodle_Pliskin]

My thought is whether Mother Superor Odrade's plan to blend the Matre's and the Sisterhood would work, long term. After all absolute power attracts the absolutely corruptible.

[danelamoreaux]

Cookies in the morning, breakfast of champions. Awesome video to you and your team.

[theAverageJoe]

You know the part about the Honored Matres using a different chemical than spice reminded me of something I’ve wondered about for a while. Why didn’t anyone ever try to create synthetic spice? It would reduce the reliance on Dune and the subjugation of it’s people

[catinore]

Thank you for covering this topic with this informative video. My Dune lore always felt most deficient in this area. You have definitely piqued my curiosity in regard to these weirdos. Maybe it’s time I finally got around to finishing Chapterhouse…

[arcane]

As i red the chapterhouse book it sounds the HM using something similar to ultra instinct. Moving quick like a vampire, causing a human body to explode like a bursting water melon with only one devastating kick. It must be the ultimate femdom fantasy being in the chapterhouse castle with hundreds of HM woman as the only one male around. I felt sorry for Duncan because of loosing Murbella. The strongest woman in the Dune saga. At the end she became to dangerous for him.

[briancaldwell]

We need a Futar video!

They are an interesting glimpse at the scattering. Something that the HMs feared but were harmless without their masters. They never made sense but I was always fascinated by them.

[peterbellini]

Good overview NC. The additional context of Miles Teg, the Old Bashar, would've been appropriate here. He became the secret weapon the BG used to destroy the Honored Matres.

[smarouchoc]

I finished the last Frank Herbet dune book at 6am - at 11am, my clock radio went off, and the news was playing saying the Frank Herbert had died of cancer.... I did not like the choices his son made for the Honored Matre's enemy. Also, love the channel, really love the sign off 😁

[Agamon]

Thanks for the new video! Always wonderful.

[uglybob]

Knew NOTHING of the Honoured Matres !!! Looks like Ive got some homework to do. Thanks for the video, appreciated as always 🙂