More Jeanne d'Arc style heroines

hmmm, maybe I've posted on this before- but WI there were more such women warriors as Joan of Arc during medieval times ?
 
ED: The point is I think the situation on the ground has to be different for more women warriors like Joan to appear in the first place.

This topic is of a lot of interest to me, but I think you need to figure out just why she was able to do what she did.

The important things are that she had religion on her side, the King was getting rather desperate and she was able to over come her gender in the field. But whether she actually planned stuff, or was more present as a symbol that God was with them (not saying she didn't fight, she did). I have no idea.

So I think you have to create a breakdown of the existing social structures and have something to overcome her being a "mere" woman (in Joan's case, God) to enable more of those to pop up, at least in Europe. But it might be helpful to look at other important women leaders who also sometimes fought like Lakshimi Bai (Hindu) or Fatma N'Soumer (Muslim). They were both nobles as I understand it though.

BTW: Assuming Joan WAS the person planning the French counter attack, I would have loved to have seen her fight Henry V.
 
There were a few other who didn't achieve Joan of Arc celebrity ( jeanne la Hachette, for exemple ).

I wonder what happens if they share Joan's death and sainthood.

How many saint can be burned by the inquisition before someone asks questions?
 
Boudacia

The Celtic Queen Boudacia (and I know I've mangled the spelling) was very real, and came to a tragic end. I'd say she and her daughters count.
 
One example I recall is Matilda, wife of King Stephen. While Stephen was highly competent in personal combat and tactics, it's suggested that Matilda was actually the strategist.

Eleanor of Aquitaine actually went on the Second Crusade with her husband. That didn't end well. I've read somewhere that this played a part in why for the century or two afterwards military leaders were particularly opposed to women having any sort of role in military affairs.

Several noblewomen became quite famous for leading the defence of their castles while their husbands were away.

The Celtic Queen Boudacia (and I know I've mangled the spelling) was very real, and came to a tragic end. I'd say she and her daughters count.

Boudica, Boudicca or Boadicea are all used, but still, not exactly what I'd call medieval.
 
Eleanor of Aquitaine actually went on the Second Crusade with her husband. That didn't end well. I've read somewhere that this played a part in why for the century or two afterwards military leaders were particularly opposed to women having any sort of role in military affairs.
Well she wanted to divorce her husband for the prince of Antioch right? Actually I think the real reason was that Eleanor and Melisande told all the men that attacking Damascus was the stupidest thing they could do, they went and did it, and it was an epic disaster. So they were totally shown up by the ladies.
 
There was a female Indian leader of some sort in the 1600s. I can't remember if she was fighting against the Mughals or the Europeans.
 

Keenir

Banned
didn't one of the Roman Popes give command of an entire army to his daughter? (Matilda, I think)
 
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