Five Pregnant Warrior Queens Who Led Armies into Battle

A historical survey examines five female rulers who defied societal norms by leading military campaigns while pregnant. Empress Jingū of Japan (legendary, c. 169-269) allegedly invaded Korea while pregnant, binding her stomach with stones to delay childbirth. Caterina Sforza (1463-1509), Countess of Forlì, at seven months pregnant in 1484 seized Castel Sant'Angelo and threatened the Conclave. Mandukhai Khatun (c. 1449-1510) of Mongolia unified Mongol tribes while pregnant, reportedly giving birth to twins on the battlefield. Isabella of Castile (1451-1504) wore armor during sieges of the Granada War while pregnant with five surviving children. Catherine of Aragon (1485-1536), while pregnant, served as regent during the 1513 Battle of Flodden, organizing troops and supplies. The article notes that many accounts are mythologized, with Empress Jingū possibly a mythical figure and Catherine never actually fighting.