Did women ever lead armies during medieval conflicts?

Yes, there were instances of women leading armies during medieval conflicts.

In the medieval period, the role of women was largely confined to the domestic sphere. However, there were exceptions to this rule, particularly during times of conflict. Some women, either through necessity or choice, took on roles that were traditionally reserved for men, including leading armies into battle.

One of the most famous examples is Joan of Arc, a peasant girl from France who led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War. Joan claimed to have received visions from God instructing her to support Charles VII and recover France from English domination. She was eventually captured by the English and burned at the stake for heresy, but her legacy lived on and she was later canonised as a saint.

In England, Queen Matilda led forces against her cousin Stephen in a civil war for the English crown known as The Anarchy. Matilda was a formidable leader and, although she never officially became queen, her son Henry II eventually succeeded to the throne.

In the Byzantine Empire, Empress Matilda of Tuscany led armies against the Holy Roman Emperor during the Investiture Controversy. She was a skilled military leader and played a crucial role in the conflict, which was a major power struggle between the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire.

In Spain, Queen Urraca led her forces in the defence of her kingdom against her husband, Alfonso I of Aragon. Despite facing numerous challenges, including opposition from her own nobles, Urraca successfully maintained her rule.

These examples demonstrate that, while it was not common for women to lead armies during the medieval period, it was certainly not unheard of. These women defied societal expectations and demonstrated that they were capable of leading in times of conflict. Their actions had significant impacts on the course of history and they are remembered today as powerful figures in their own right.