Jeanne de Montfort

Jeanne de Montfort, also called Joan of Flanders, was born to the count of Nevers, in Flanders, and was married in 1329 to John IV, duke of Brittany, also called Jean de Montfort. When John died in 1345, during a war against the Blois family over control of Brittany, Jeanne became ruler of the duchy to protect the rights of her son, John V, who was next in line of succession. In one siege, she organized a successful military defense that included the women of the town cutting their skirts and joining the battle.