The image of the lady knight is an enduring and recurring romantic motif often found in fantasy literature. From The Cave of the Golden Rose (1991) to Game of Thrones (George RR Martin 1996-present; HBO 2011-2019), the lady knight has seized our imagination as a heroine, a female warrior filled with fighting prowess. Respected and feared by their peers, they stride confidently. They are often beautiful, gorgeous to behold, and they instill a sense of admiration because they are powerful knights, surpassing even their masculine counterparts.

However, the lady knight of the late medieval and Renaissance epics was the subject of contention…