Not all soldiers and knights were men. It was hard to see with all the harnesses covering their entire bodies, but there are several references to women participating in armed conflict from most periods of history. The most famous example of a female warrior is, of course, Joan of Arc (ca. 1412-1431). It is said that she once received a suit of armour from the French King Charles VII. Yet only one small illustration depicts her carrying a sword and banner yet not dressed in armour. One can only guess how many of the artefacts in this archive were once held by female warriors.