Women Warriors of the 13th Century
Women Warriors of the 12th Century << . . . . >> Women Warriors of the 14th Century

Maude de Valerie (1155-1210) also known as Maud de Saint Valery, Maud de Braose, Matilda, Moll Walby, The Lady of LaHaie or The Lady of La Hay defended Pain's Castle.

Nicola de la Haye was in charge of Lincoln Castle when rebel barons and Louis, son of the French King Philip beseiged it in 1217. She was the daughter of Baron de la Haye, hereditary castellan of Lincoln. She successfully defended the town against several rebel raids and was made sheriff of Lincolnshire in 1216.
(info given by Dale)

The Order of the Glorious Saint Mary was founded in Italy in 1233, and approved by Pope Alexander IV in 1261. It was the first religious order of knighthood to grant the rank of "militissa" to women. The Order was suppressed by Sixtus V in 1558.
(source Women Knights in the Middle Ages)

The Countess of Pembroke was put her in charge of her husband's knights in 1267 while he was away from home.

Jeanne of Navarre (1271-1304) was the ruler of Navarre, Brie and Champagne. She was married to King Philip the Fair of France. She led her army against that of the Count de Bar when he attempted to rebel against her.

In 1297 the Countess of Ross led her own troops during William Wallace and Andrew de Moray's battles with the English.

In the late 13th Century Heldris de Cornouaille (Heldris of Cornwall) wrote an Old French verse poem called "Roman de Silence" which tells the fictional story of a woman who was a minstrel and knight.

(see also Women in the Knightly Orders)

Women Warriors of the 12th Century << . . . . >> Women Warriors of the 14th Century

 

 

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These pages are provided by Nicky Saunders of Lothene Experimental Archaeology