Women as foot soldiers were not common the medieval era. After all, someone had to stay and tend the farm, the children, and the infirm while armies marched off to war. But when an invading army approaches the farm or the children, women can fight with a fierceness that defies all reason. In the case of royalty and the aristocracy, battles between nations often became personal, and queens, countesses, and duchesses were quite willing to command armies to defend their families and kingdoms.
Jeanne Laisné grabbed an axe and defended the town of Beauvais, France, against invading Burgundians and became in inspiration to the townspeople. Tomoe Gozen was a distinguished horsewoman, archer, and swordswoman who fought in the Genpei War in Japan. Queen Matilda of Boulogne led supporters against Empress Matilda to secure her husband King Stephen's release from bondage in the English civil war. And contrary to the first paragraph, a Viking woman named Lagertha fought so bravely as a foot soldier that king Ragnar Lodbrok married her. Medievalists.net brings us the stories of 15 medieval warrior women who led armies and defended kingdoms. -via Strange Company
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