Until the early twentieth century, women were viewed as lowly and of little value, with few privileges and rights. However, from as early as the thirteenth century, a few women have tried their strength in opposition to the men around them, who would suppress their spirit, vitality, and courage. Those few able women, who made their marks in history, have gradually moved the male dominate society to respect women as the strong, intelligent, brave, and honorable leaders that they are, completely capable. Jeanne of Montfort was one such memorable woman in history who showed selflessness, along with courage and determination to take on a man's role and successfully defeat the enemy.
Women should not have been faced with battle lines, but they were, as Jeanne of Montfort attests. During The Hundred Years War in France, many battles were actually political struggles of two or more parties anxious for exalted positions in ruler ship. Therefore, in 1341 Hennebonne, the Duke died and left a half-brother, Jean of Montfort, and a niece, as rivals for the throne (Tuchman, 74). Consequently, the niece's husband, Charles de Blois, was determined to overtake Jean of Montfort to become the new Duke. Eventually, Charles de Blois captured and imprisoned Jean of Montfort (Tuchman, 74 and 75). It was then that Jean's wife, Jeanne of Montfort, stood up for her family's rights and despite stereotypes of women at the time, took action that history honors.
First, Jeanne of Montfort's selfless spirit showed itself when she risked her life, to rescue her husband from the seemingly impenetrable prison, in which he was being held. Disguised as a friar, Jeanne convinced one of the warder's daughters to allow her inside the walls of the massive stone prison, in order to render service to the prisoners. Although, the maiden followed Jeanne of Montfort from cell to cell as she quickly entered and exited, upon not finding her husband. Fortunately, she finally found her husband and Jeanne persuaded the young girl to stay in the hall while she "absolved the unfortunate man." Immediately announcing her presence, and after a very brief reunion, she explained the details about the political transactions that had passed since her husband's captivity. She told her husband of all the problems with Charles de Blois, but also how Edward, king of England, had petitioned her to hold out until the arrival of reinforcement from England (Longworth, 11).
This news lifted the count's spirit and he only sighed that he was unable to be free, to protect his wife and son (Longworth, 11). It was at that point that Jeanne suggested that her husband take on her disguise to escape the dungy prison and leave her there, in his place (Longworth, 12). It might have worked, had the warder's daughter not become terrified of being found out, when a loud knock arose from the tower gates. Fearful that her father would find them, she hurriedly ushered "the monk" out of the cell, before their plan could be hatched (Longworth, 12).
Second, Jeanne used subtle tactics because women often found it hard to be Despite not rescuing her husband, Jeanne had a renewed energy to continue fighting for her husband's possessions. Later, she used her monk disguise to enter the camp of her enemy, Charles de Blois. Upon receiving permission to visit with Charles personally, Jeanne of Montfort began with a brief praise of Charles to boost his trust in her. Then, she took her pretension even further by speaking ill of her husband, the Count of Montfort, and pretended to believe he was a traitor, whom King Edward was leaving in prison to rot. In order to find out information about his plans for overtaking her, she questioned Charles de Blois's reluctance to just take the countess by storm. His response assured her hopes of a victory. He replied, "I have besieged this fortress for several weeks, it still resists will utmost obstinacy. It is well garrisoned with the best troops of Brittany; and the presence of the countess has converted her soldiers into heroes!" She took her leave after taking order to enter the fortress with a flag of truce and hold a conference with the countess (Longworth, 13).
Upon hearing that his enemy had deceived him, Charles de Blois doubled his zeal, as he became even more anxious to make himself master of Hennebonne, and capture the countess that he was sure would "terminate the contest (Longworth, 14)". Although later he would capture and hold her prisoner briefly, Charles de Blois soon found out that, although a woman, Jeanne of Montfort "had the courage of a man ad a lion (Bury)." She would be no easy target. His repeated attacks on Jeanne of Montfort's fortress, finally kept her troops on the inside of the fortress walls (Longworth, 25). Eventually, supplies began to run out and the soldiers were beginning to starve to death, but the mere presence of the countess empowered the troops to keep watch.
