What is a female knight called?

Dames

Answer

There wasn't one. Women were not allowed to take up arms in the days of old.

In a ranking way, Lady was the term for a woman of that stature.

Since 1920 it has been possible in Britain to award the mildly amusing title of Dame to women. It is used in the same way as the Sir of a knight. Any female member of the Order of the Garter is called a Lady Companion of the Most Noble order of the Garter.

Actually, I'm sure it depends on which country is in question. Dame from what I can gather is the equivalent of 'Sir' in the English hierarchy of old. Although like the person who answered said, there were few if no English female knights.

* In 1149, women who had helped defend the Spanish town of Tortosa from the Moors were inducted into an order of knights called the Order of the Hatchet (which didn't survive beyond its original membership).

* The Order of St. John the Hospitaller inducted warrior "nuns."

* The Knights Templar also had a class of warrior nuns shortly before all the Templars were accused of heresy and burned.

* Women, usually wives of knights and nobles, were inducted into the Order of the Garter in England between 1358 and 1488. There were no further appointments until modern times.

* After the French Revolution, French women could be inducted into the Legion d'Honneur.

* The Order of the Star of India inducted a woman named Nawab Begum in 1861. Later, her daughter and Queen Mary were granted knighthood in this order.

* Today, women can be granted knighthood in British orders. The proper salutation for a female knight is "dame" (think of Dame Judi Dench, the actress).

This excerpt, taken from http://history.howstuffworks.com/middle-ages/knight6.htm

Excuse me, I just wanted to add Joan of Arc.... okay?

First answer by Aggie80. Last edit by Fornicarus. Contributor trust: 0 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 5 [recommend question]