Female knights is not something frequently depicted in our modern media.
The term “knight” often conjures images of armored men on horseback, galloping into battle under the banner of chivalry and honor.
However, history reveals a more complex reality — one that includes women who bore arms, commanded troops, and took part in chivalric orders.
Female knights did exist, but their stories are often overshadowed by their male counterparts.
This article explores the fascinating history of female knighthood, delves into their roles and recognition, and uncovers why their legacy is often overlooked.
Key takeaways about female knights
- Female knights existed in history: Women like those in the Order of the Hatchet and Joan of Arc played significant martial and leadership roles.
- Knighthood wasn’t always formal: Many women demonstrated knightly qualities—courage, leadership, and service—without being officially knighted.
- Ceremonial honors recognized women: Female rulers like Queen Elizabeth I were inducted into prestigious chivalric orders for their leadership and influence.
- Legacy transcends gender: Women’s contributions to knighthood challenge traditional norms, broadening the understanding of bravery and honor in history.
Female knights in medieval Europe
The Order of the Hatchet
One of the most notable examples of female knighthood comes from the Order of the Hatchet, established in Catalonia in 1149.
Women who defended the city of Tortosa from a Moorish attack were honored with membership in this order, receiving privileges such as exemption from taxes and the ability to pass these benefits to their descendants.
While these women were not knights in the traditional sense, they were officially recognized for their bravery — a hallmark of medieval chivalry.
The dames of the Order of Saint John
The Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, also known as the Knights Hospitaller, included women in its ranks.
While men typically served as knights, women — known as “dames” — played crucial roles in the order’s charitable and medical missions.
Some women held high-ranking positions, managing estates and resources vital to the organization’s survival.
The blurred lines of knighthood
The traditional image of a knight is that of a male warrior clad in armor, bound by a code of chivalry, and sworn to defend the weak and uphold justice.
However, history paints a more nuanced picture, one in which women sometimes stepped into roles that mirrored, and at times even surpassed, the duties and characteristics associated with knighthood.
Throughout history, particularly in times of crisis, women defied societal norms and took up arms.
Their actions — whether defending castles, leading troops, or negotiating treaties — often aligned with the ideals of courage, leadership, and service central to the knightly ethos.
While many of these women were not formally knighted, their contributions blurred the lines between the traditional knight and the broader definition of a combatant and leader.
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Women in warfare and leadership
Women have historically demonstrated martial prowess and leadership, particularly during periods of war and instability.
These women may not have carried the formal title of “knight,” but their actions exemplified the spirit of knighthood.
Joan of Arc: The warrior-saint
One of the most famous examples is Joan of Arc, a young peasant girl who rose to prominence during the Hundred Years’ War.
While she was never officially knighted, Joan’s leadership, strategic acumen, and unwavering faith earned her the respect of soldiers and nobles alike.
At just 17 years old, she led French forces to critical victories against the English, ultimately turning the tide of the war in favor of France.
Her actions inspired a nation and solidified her place in history as a symbol of courage and sacrifice, qualities intrinsic to knighthood.
Matilda of Canossa: The negotiator and general
Another compelling figure is Matilda of Canossa, a powerful noblewoman in 11th-century Italy.
Matilda was not only a skilled military leader who commanded armies to defend her territories, but she also played a crucial role in resolving the Investiture Controversy — a major conflict between the papacy and the Holy Roman Empire.
Her ability to combine martial strength with diplomatic finesse mirrors the dual responsibilities of knights as warriors and peacemakers.
Defenders of castles and cities
Many women also stepped into military roles as defenders of their homes. During sieges, noblewomen often assumed command of castles, leading the defense and organizing supplies in their husbands’ absence.
One notable example is Margaret of Anjou, who actively led Lancastrian forces during the Wars of the Roses in England.
Though such women were not officially knights, their actions embodied the chivalric ideal of protecting the vulnerable and upholding justice in the face of adversity.
Ceremonial knighthood for female rulers
While most women were excluded from traditional knighthood, some were honored through ceremonial orders, particularly if they held political power or demonstrated exceptional leadership.
Queen Elizabeth I: A knighted monarch
One such example is Queen Elizabeth I of England, who was inducted into the Order of the Garter, the highest chivalric order in Britain.
This honorary recognition was not tied to martial achievements but rather to her political influence, wisdom, and leadership.
As a ruler who successfully defended England from the Spanish Armada and navigated complex political landscapes, Elizabeth embodied the chivalric values of loyalty and protection.
The Order of the Thistle and other honors
Similar examples can be found in other parts of Europe. The Order of the Thistle in Scotland and other exclusive orders often extended membership to female sovereigns or noblewomen who played critical roles in statecraft.
These ceremonial honors acknowledged their contributions to governance and diplomacy, even if they did not engage directly in combat.
Beyond the battlefield
The blurred lines of knighthood also extend to non-military roles that women played in the spirit of chivalry.
Many women supported knightly orders through financial backing, administrative leadership, or charitable works.
For instance, female members of the Order of Saint John (Knights Hospitaller) — known as dames — managed estates, raised funds, and organized medical care for soldiers and pilgrims.
These roles, though behind the scenes, were crucial to sustaining the knightly ideals of service and protection.
Expanding the definition of knighthood
The stories of women like Joan of Arc, Matilda of Canossa, and Queen Elizabeth I challenge the rigid definitions of knighthood as exclusively male and tied solely to combat.
Their actions demonstrate that knighthood was as much about embodying ideals of bravery, leadership, and service as it was about wielding a sword.
While they may not have worn spurs or borne traditional knightly titles, these women blurred the boundaries of what it meant to be a knight, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire.
Societal perceptions and limitations
Chivalry and gender roles
The concept of chivalry was deeply intertwined with gender norms in medieval Europe.
Knights were expected to uphold ideals of masculinity, including physical strength, martial skill, and the protection of the weak — qualities often associated with men.
Women, on the other hand, were seen as needing protection rather than providing it. These societal perceptions limited women’s participation in knighthood, relegating them to supporting roles or exceptional cases.
The erasure of female knights
Historical records often downplayed or ignored the contributions of women in martial roles.
Chroniclers and historians, influenced by patriarchal views, prioritized male achievements, leaving the stories of female knights to fade into obscurity.
As a result, many female combatants and leaders were either excluded from the narrative or depicted as anomalies rather than active participants in chivalric culture.
Female knights in other cultures
The idea of female warriors extends beyond Europe. In feudal Japan, Onna-musha were women of the samurai class who engaged in combat.
Figures like Tomoe Gozen and Nakano Takeko are celebrated for their bravery and martial skills, proving that women in other cultures also fulfilled roles comparable to knights.
Female warriors in African kingdoms
In Africa, women warriors were integral to certain societies. The Dahomey Amazons of present-day Benin, for example, were an all-female military regiment renowned for their discipline and combat ability.
While not “knights” in the European sense, they embodied many of the same ideals of loyalty, honor, and martial prowess.
Female knighthood in modern times
In modern chivalric orders, women can receive recognition equivalent to knighthood.
For example, the Order of the British Empire includes titles such as Dame Commander, which is the female counterpart to Knight Commander; this evolution reflects a broader recognition of women’s contributions to society, albeit in non-military contexts.
Reimagining the knightly ideal
Today, the image of a knight is less tied to gender and more associated with the values of courage, loyalty, and service. This shift allows for a more inclusive understanding of what knighthood represents, honoring the contributions of both men and women throughout history.
Conclusion
So, did female knights exist?
Yes, but their stories often defy the traditional definition of knighthood.
From the defenders of Tortosa to the dames of chivalric orders, women have played crucial roles in martial and chivalric traditions.
Their contributions challenge narrow definitions of knighthood and remind us that the ideals of bravery, honor, and service transcend gender.
By uncovering these overlooked histories, we gain a richer understanding of the complexities of medieval society — and the enduring power of the knightly ideal.
