Medieval women and horses

Most medieval women rode astride. While an early chair-like side saddle with handles and a footrest was available by the 13th century and allowed women of the nobility to ride while wearing long gowns, they were not universally adopted during the Middle Ages. This was largely due to the insecure seat they offered, which necessitated a smooth-gaited horse being led by a man. The side saddle did not become practical for everyday riding until the 16th century. Then the pommel horn was developed, which secured the seat and made it stabil enough for women to control their horses and ride all four gates.

It was not unknown for women to ride war horses, and take their part in warfare. Joan of Arc is probably the most famous female warrior of the medieval period, but there were many others, including the Empress Matilda who, armoured and mounted, led an army against her cousin Stephen of Blois in the 12th Century. The fifteenth-century writer Christine de Pizan advised aristocratic ladies that they must "know the laws of arms and all things pertaining to warfare, ever prepared to command her men if there is need of it”.

It was not uncommon for a girl to learn her father's trade, and for a woman to share her husband's trade; many guilds also accepted the membership of widows, allowing them to continue their husband's business. Under this system, some women trained in horse-related trades as e.g. farriers and saddle-makers.

Despite the difficulties of travel, it was customary for both men and women, to travel long distances. Upper-class wives frequently accompanied their husbands on crusades or to tournaments. When not on foot, women would usually travel on horseback. Women of the nobility also rode horses for sport, accompanying men in activities like hunting.

Source: Wikipedia
Painting by unknown artist

Shieldmaidens

A SHIELDMAIDEN (Norse: Skjoldmøy) was a woman who had chosen to fight as a warrior. They are frequently mentioned in sagas in Norse folklore and mythology. Shieldmaidens also appear in stories of other Germanic nations: Goths, Cimbri and Marcomanni. The Valkyries might have been based on the shieldmaidens and they were also known to be J.R.R. Tolkien's inspiration for Éowyn. :)
There are few historical evidences of Viking Age women taking part in warfare, but it happened for sure on several occasions. Sometimes disguised and sometimes in the open - but not necessarily topless like Brynhildr here. For sure, then people would have noticed...

Source: Wikipedia
Depiction of Brynhildr by Robert Engels (1919)

Lady Godiva

LADY GODIVA was a historical figure and the wife of Leofric, Earl of Mercia. (Godgifu or Godgyfu means "gift of God”. Godiva is the Latinised version.)

According to the legend, Lady Godiva took pity on the poor people who suffered under her husband's oppressive system and heavy taxes. Lady Godiva appealed again and again to her husband to lighten the burden on his subjects. Her husband obstinately refused to compile, but weary of her entreaties, he finally said he would agree to make changes if she would strip naked and ride through the streets of the town. This was unheard of and he hoped it would be the end of the discussion, but Lady Godiva took him at his word and, after issuing a proclamation that people should stay indoors and shut their windows, she rode through the town naked, only “dressed” in her long, red hair. As a result of this ride, Lady Godiva's husband kept his word and abolished the onerous taxes.

The oldest form of the legend has Godiva passing through Coventry market from one end to the other attended only by two knights, while the people were assembled and looking down in respect. This version is given in Flores Historiarum in the 12th century, quoted from an earlier writer. The later story, with its episode of "Peeping Tom," appeared first among 17th century chroniclers. There it was told that one single man, a tailor ever afterwards known as Peeping Tom, disobeyed Lady Godiva’s proclamation. This is probably the most famous example of voyeurism in history. It was told that Tom managed to get a glimpse of Lady Godiva as she passed by, and that he was struck blind.

Source: Wikipedia
Painting by John Collier 1897

Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc)

JEANNE D’ARC (1412 –1431) was a national heroine of France and now a Catholic saint (canonized by the pope in 1920). She was a peasant girl born in eastern France who led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War, claiming divine guidance. This young girl was indirectly responsible for the coronation of Charles VII…
The extent of her actual military leadership is a subject of historical debate, for sure. Some say she was a standard bearer whose primary effect was on morale. Others say that her fellow officers esteemed her as a skilled tactician and a successful strategist. In either case, historians agree that the army enjoyed remarkable success during Jeanne’s brief military career…
A reckless skirmish on 23 May 1430 led to her being captured. Jeanne had ordered a retreat and assumed the place of honour as the last to leave the field. She was unhorsed by an archer and forced to surrender.
It was customary for a captive's family to pay ransom to free a prisoner of war, but unfortunately, Jeanne’s family lacked the financial resources. Jeanne had to face a trial of heresy (challenging the established system of belief) which was a capital crime. The trial against her was politically motivated, and the trial record demonstrates her remarkable intellect.
Jeanne d’Arc was not a feminist. She was just a girl who felt she received a divine calling, and since her mission was to do a man's job, she dressed accordingly. She kept her hair cut short through her military campaigns, but agreed to wear women's clothes when she was captured, but ended up dressed as a man again during the trial. Some say she did it to protect herself from harassment in jail. Some say she did it because her dress was taken from her and she was left with nothing else to wear.

The technical reason for her execution was a biblical clothing law. Jeanne d’Arc was burned at the stake. She was 19 years old.

Source: Wikipedia

The Valkyries

THE VALKYRIES (Old Norse: "Chooser of the slain") were female warrior-like riders who, according to Norse mythology, would ride into the battlefields and collect the bodies of the warriors that the god Odin had decided would fall. The Valkyries brought their chosen ones to Valhalla (Hall of the Slain). It was considered an honourable death and Viking warriors were strong in their belief that the after life in Valhalla was worth dying for. Valhalla was located in Asgard and ruled over by Odin. In Valhalla the deceased warriors became einherjar (Norse: Lone fighters), and part of an army preparing for Ragnarok.

Source: Wikipedia
Painting by Peter Nicolai Arbo (1865)

Centaurides (no: Kentaurider)

THE KENTAURIDES (or Centaurides) were female members of the Kentauroi (Centaur) tribe. Kentaurides are seldom mentioned in ancient Greek literature, but they occasionally appear in ancient Greek paintings and mosaics and reliefs from the Roman era

The most known Centauride in Greek mythology is Hylonome. She was present at the battle against the Lapiths, where she lost her husband, the centaur Cyllarus. Heartbroken, she then took her own life to join him. She died holding her husband in her arms.

The female centaurs also have a Philippine counterpart called Anggitay.

Sources:
Ovid, Metamorphoses - Latin Epic C1st B.C. - C1st A.D.
Wikipedia.
Theoi Project.
Illustration: Roman mosaic from Elles C4th A.D., Bardo Museum, Tunis

The Amazons

THE AMAZONS were women warriors trained in the art of war. The origin of the word Amazon is uncertain. It may be derived from an Iranian ethnonym *ha-mazan-, "warriors". It might be a Greek derivation from "manless, without husbands". In popular etymology the word is believed to come from the Greek a-mazos, "without breast".
Amazons were said to have lived in Pontus, a part of modern day Turkey near the shore of the Black Sea. There they formed an independent kingdom ruled by a queen named Hippolyta or Hippolyte ("loose, unbridled mare").
A common misunderstanding about the Amazons is that they allegedly had their right breast cut off in order to use a bow more freely and throw spears without physical limitations and obstructions. But there is no indication of such a practice in works of art, in which the Amazons are always represented with both breasts, although the right is frequently covered.
The Amazons had a matriarchal social structure where men were marginalized or banned. According to some versions of the myth, no men were permitted to reside with the Amazons; but once a year, in order to prevent their race from dying out, the Amazons would go out and met men outside their kingdom. Baby boys born within the Amazon culture were killed, abandoned in the wilderness to fend for themselves or sent back to their fathers. Baby girls were brought up within the Amazon community, were they learned agriculture, riding, hunting and the art of war.
Archaeological evidence seems to confirm the existence of women-warriors. The Amazons are believed to have founded several cities, amongst them Smyrna, Ephesus, Sinope, and Paphos.



Source: Wikipedia
Painting by Claude Déruet, 1620s