Joan of Flanders, Countess of Montfort

Joan of Flanders[a] (c. 1295 – September 1374) is a duchess of Brittany by her marriage to John of Montfort. Much of her life is taken up in defense of the rights of her husband to the duchy, and, later, her son's rights to the duchy, which is challenged by the House of Blois during the War of the Breton Succession. Known for her fiery personality, Joan leads Montfort's cause after her husband had been captured by Philip VI of France, and begins the fight back. Here, she displays considerable skill as a military leader and gains the respect of her people.

While she did not invent the concept of women in warfare, Joan revolutionized the role of women in power and was able to rally the House of Montfort, She functioned as a social, political, and military leader. Shortly after taking refuge in England, she was confined to Tickhill Castle by order of King Edward III.

Joan was highly praised by the chronicler Jean Froissart for her courage and energy. Because of her feats of leadership, historian David Hume described her as "the most extraordinary woman of the age".

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