Line #359 Main/LadyOfWar


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10	[[quoteright:350:[[Film/KillBill https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kill_bill_samurai.jpg]]]]
11	[[caption-width-right:350:Demure meets Deadly.]]
12
13	->'''Buffy:''' I never hit anybody before.\
14	'''Merrick:''' Well, you did it perfectly.\
15	'''Buffy:''' I didn’t even break a nail.
16	-->-- ''Film/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''
17
18	Basically, the Lady of War is an ActionGirl who retains an [[ProperLady air of grace and reserve not usually associated with violence]]. If she's not a PrettyPrincessPowerhouse, she tends to be [[{{Ojou}} otherwise highly placed]] or at least look and act like it. If she's not gentle-mannered, she may be an AloofDarkHairedGirl or [[AlphaBitch arrogant and generally prissy]] and might become subject to a DefrostingIceQueen scenario. Often, she's simply TheStoic.
19
20	In {{RPG}}s, [[WhiteMagicianGirl female]] [[BlackMagicianGirl roles]] tend to be limited to [[LadyOfBlackMagic magic use]], but sometimes women get to take on more physical roles in combat, and that leads us to a different OddCouple pair: the Lady of War and the CuteBruiser.
21
22	Character-design wise, she doesn't tend to be overly sexualized in the way that other types of ActionGirl often are, or at least not to such an unsubtle degree. The Lady of War ''does'' have her own charm in a cool, collected, Creator/NicoleKidman way. She's also very likely to have no LoveInterest at all, or if she does, she is very unlikely to be paired with the protagonist -- that's what {{White Mage}}s are for -- unless there ''is'' no White Mage. In any case, she almost certainly occupies a firm place in the hearts of at least a minority of the fandom. (see AmazonChaser). If for any reason she is paired with the protagonist of the story, it's possible he's a DistressedDude as very rarely would the Lady of War need any form of saving, and woe befall those who would [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge dare touch her beloved.]] If she herself ''is'' the protagonist and her love interest isn't, then [[OneWomanArmy nobody stands a chance]] in stopping her from defeating everyone in her path to reclaim him.
23
24	A Lady of War is almost always given an [[ElegantWeaponForAMoreCivilizedAge elegant]] weapon that emphasizes her femininity -- often a bow, [[RoyalRapier rapier]], {{naginata\|sAreFeminine}}, [[CombatHandFan steel fan]], or even an [[ParasolOfPain umbrella]], all weapons that have a certain choreographic element in the way they're wielded. They also allow her to avoid getting her hands dirty and usually invoke WouldntHitAGirl as a result. If guns are the norm, she's likely to prefer an easily-concealed [[RevolversAreJustBetter revolver]] with deadly aim, as opposed to an automatic. If the story deals with martial arts, she'll use a "refined" fighting style like Tai Chi or Aikijutsu or will be given the gymnastic prowess to engage in some variant of SheFu.
25
26	Expect her ImpossiblyCoolClothes to [[ErmineCapeEffect still reflect her position]]. She might even wear a BattleBallgown.
27
28	In terms of physical capabilities, she's usually some form of the FragileSpeedster (and/or GlassCannon, if a ranged fighter), but it's not unheard of for her to be a JackOfAllStats or MightyGlacier[=/=]GlacierWaif, especially if she wears armor. It is possible a degree of {{Sarashi}} will be necessary to deal with an inescapable physical reality which might impede free movement in combat.
29
30	If she were a preteen, she'd be a LittleMissBadass.
31
32	Contrast ShortTank or {{Bokukko}} {{Cute Bruiser}}s. While the Lady of War is about grace and reserve, the tomboyish CuteBruiser (or GirlyBruiser if they are more feminine) is more about unrestrained passion and power. The former also tends to be older than the latter. There ''is'' the possibility of having the Cute Bruiser grow up into a Lady of War, but it's not that common. See also GirlyBruiser.
33
34	Expect ''anyone'' [[LadyOfAdventure with the title "Lady" in an Action-Adventure story]] to be this.
35
36	Compare RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething, RebelliousPrincess, PrettyPrincessPowerhouse, KickingAssInAllHerFinery and OfficerAndAGentleman. Contrast PrincessClassic, PrinceCharming. Compare/Contrast ModestRoyalty. If she's based on Joan of Arc, she's a JeanneDArchetype. Compare SilkHidingSteel for a ProperLady with a [[IronLady steel]] [[PluckyGirl core]] in general, and NothingNiceAboutSugarAndSpice for the more girly, loopier, and less successful versions.
37
38	A subtrope of ActionGirl, though not all Action Girls qualify as Ladies of War if they lack the calm, dignified demeanor. OfficerAndAGentleman is a related trope, but a Lady of War is not always a military officeholder. A Lady of War who uses magic rather than a melee weapon is a LadyOfBlackMagic, although a female KungFuWizard or MagicKnight can fit both. May be the female half of a BattleCouple. Like a male CulturedWarrior, some incarnations have a chance of being developed into a WarriorPoet.
39
40	Please list examples in alphabetical order.
41
42	----
43	!!Example subpages:
44
45	[[index]]
46	* LadyOfWar/AnimeAndManga
47	* LadyOfWar/FanWorks
48	* LadyOfWar/{{Literature}}
49	* LadyOfWar/VideoGames
50	[[/index]]
51
52	!!Other examples:
53	[[foldercontrol]]
54
55	[[folder:Arts]]
56	* ''Art/SevenVirtues'': "Fortitude" and "Justice" are depicted as regal women who are the [[EmbodimentOfVirtue embodiments of their respective virtue]]. They are both wearing plated armor--although, in Justice's case it's just an ornate shoulder plate in her sword hand--and holding a weapon; Justice wields a RoyalRapier while Fortitude holds a StaffOfAuthority.
57	[[/folder]]
58
59	[[folder:Audio Plays]]
60	* In ''AudioPlay/{{Starboard}}'' Captain Saeth of the outlaw ship Taranau commands her crew with efficiency and strength, and most of them are undyingly loyal to her as a result.
61	[[/folder]]
62
63	[[folder:Comic Books]]
64	* Winged Victory of ''ComicBook/AstroCity'' is an outspoken advocate of women's rights and equality and predictably draws controversy to herself as a result. She flies into battle with a broadsword and full armor.
65	* ComicBook/LadyShiva from ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' and related books. Possibly the deadliest martial artist in the world, her fighting style is a masterpiece of elegance with no wasted motion whatsoever.
66	* ''ComicBook/DawnOfTheJedi'': She is a polite, poised, and generally calm veteran warrior who wears a suit designed to both look tasteful and be efficient to move around in during battles.
67	* Xiaolin from ''ComicBook/EastOfWest'', ''and how''. Carries herself with a sense of grace that not even 10 years of imprisonment could damper. A War Master by the age of sixteen. And by the age of 20 a one woman army who single handily killed ''one hundred men in a single day''. Did we forget to mention that she is also the women who ''conquered Death''?
68	* ComicBook/{{Elektra}} is as graceful on the battle field as she is deadly.
69	* In ''ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk'', Caiera from Planet Hulk fits many of the requirements, being fast, graceful, and wielding an elegant weapon. She breaks from standards, however, by being one of the few non-Asgardians who can not only take a punch from the green goliath but ''return'' the favor in kind.
70	* ComicBook/LadySif from ''ComicBook/TheMightyThor''. In some portrayals, the [[WarGoddess Goddess of War]] is distinctly a lady-like fighter but remains one of Asgard's best warriors and swordsmen nevertheless.
71	* ''ComicBook/TransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye'' introduces Windblade, a new character who joins the Autobots. She relies on a [[ElegantWeaponForAMoreCivilizedAge sword]] rather than a gun, and her fighting style revolves around speed and grace rather than brute force. She's also a skilled politician and diplomate, as well.
72	* ''Franchise/WonderWoman'' is a master of many forms of combat and stated by Batman to be the best melee combatant in the world. She uses her bulletproof bracelets and Lasso of Truth to great effect and, while unarmed, graceful maneuvers and powerful blows, all while having a regal demeanor as Princess of [[LadyLand Themyscira]].
73	* ComicBook/{{Psylocke}} from ''ComicBook/XMen''. She's stoic and ruthless, and her mastery in martial arts gives her movements a sense of smooth, graceful lethality. Her PsychicPowers tend to manifest as butterfly motifs and allow her to form an elegant telekinetic katana/broadsword as her weapon. Though she's [[MsFanservice decidedly more sexualized]] than most examples of this trope.
74	[[/folder]]
75
76	[[folder:Fairy Tales]]
77	* ''Literature/TheDeathOfKoscheiTheDeathless'': Marya Morevna is portrayed as both a beautiful, wise queen and a competent military leader who leads her soldiers from the front. Her introductory scene happens right after the main character has come upon a mighty host which have just been annihilated by her army.
78	[[/folder]]
79
80	[[folder:Film -- Animation]]
81	%%* ''WesternAnimation/{{Brave}}'': Merida fights Mor'du with a sword, a bow, and an arrow alongside Queen Elinor, who turns into a bear by a witch as a part of the curse.
82	* ''WesternAnimation/Shrek1'': The titular character comments how feminine [[PrettyPrincessPowerhouse Fiona]] looked after she kicked the butts of Robin Hood and his men. She indeed makes a good job looking graceful when doing her WaifFu.
83	[[/folder]]
84
85	[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]
86	* Matsu in the ''[[Film/JoshuuSasori Female Prisoner Scorpion]]'' films is an interesting subversion in a few ways. First, she's the protagonist. Second, she's a prisoner for much of the series, so stuff like social position, weapon and costume choice don't really apply, but despite this, her basic attitude exudes grace and reserve, she's aloof by nature and she's certainly stoic. Thirdly, on occasions when she does have some choice of how she equips herself, she totally rejects the idea of keeping her enemies at a distance and opts for a knife and a BadassLongcoat with a nice hat, all in black, which contrives to be very feminine without being overtly sexy.
87	* ''Film/TheGamersDorknessRising'' has Daphne, the LawfulGood FragileSpeedster female fighter in the game-within-a-show Her fighting style emphasizes speed and precision over brute force, and she generally behaves with more dignity than her fellow [=PCs=], although there are times when she lightens up a bit.
88	* ''Film/GenghisKhanToTheEndsOfTheEarthAndSea'': Temujin aka UsefulNotes/GenghisKhan defeats an enemy band and is surprised to find that their leader, a warrior on horseback, is Khulan, a beautiful woman. Even after Khulan becomes Temujin's second consort, she continues to be a warrior princess, dressing in armor and fighting in his battles (unlike first wife Borte who is domestic).
89	* Mothra of ''Franchise/{{Godzilla}}'' fame is a [[BigCreepyCrawlies butterfly-esque]] {{Kaiju}} rather than a human woman but qualifies for this trope nonetheless. In contrast to most kaiju, she's a GentleGiant who is nearly always kind and careful (though if you know what's good for you, [[MamaBear don't touch her eggs]]), and in combat scenarios favors a combination of high-flying acrobatics and AirJousting, creating a graceful combat style that contrasts against the MightyGlacier style of the Big G himself.
90	* Pictured above is O-Ren Ishii from ''Film/KillBill'', "[[{{Yakuza}} Queen of Tokyo's Underworld]]". She's polite, demure, and keeps a stone cold expression throughout the movie, even when decapitating one of her subordinates [[BerserkButton for insulting her heritage]]. When fighting the [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge The Bride]] to the death, she wears an elegant kimono and uses her katana with an air of cool and honor. She's even the {{Expy}} of ''Manga/LadySnowblood'' another notable Lady Of War.
91	* ''Film/TheLastLegion'': Mira, a female Indian warrior who's very elegant while beating every opponent she faces. She's also overall graceful and reserved.
92	* Éowyn from ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'' follows in her book counterpart's footsteps of being both well versed in the manners of the court as would befit a noble lady of her rank, and also a formidable warrior.
93	* ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'':
94	** Hope van Dyne/The Wasp II in ''Film/AntManAndTheWasp''. She carries herself with an aloof and graceful air. This is seen even in fight scenes, in which she uses a UsefulNotes/MixedMartialArts fighting style that incorporates gymnastics and Aikido. This was [[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/ant-man-wasp-evangeline-lilly-fought-speak-up-set-1124350 intentional]] by Creator/EvangelineLilly, who felt that Hope should fight with elegance and femininity that little girls would love.
95	** The Dora Milaje from ''Film/BlackPanther2018''. An all-female team of bodyguards, their uniform consists of a stylish red dress while their weapon of choice is a polearm.
96	** ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy2014'' has Gamora. She's impeccably graceful both in and out of combat, relies far more on skill as compared to strength or big guns, and is frighteningly deadly either with or without a weapon. There's a reason she's the most wanted (and most dangerous) assassin in the galaxy.
97	** ''Film/ShangChiAndTheLegendOfTheTenRings'' has Ying Nan, an elegant and graceful master of SupernaturalMartialArts who dispenses serene wisdom as easily as she kicks ass.
98	** Thena in ''Film/{{Eternals}}''. A very refined and elegant warrior, with great fashion sense and a graceful combat style, she's an acrobatic MultiMeleeMaster who fights with efficient, well-placed strokes.
99	* ''Film/RedSonja'': Queen Gedren serves as an evil example. She's a beautiful female conqueror who leads her troops into battle, using a powerful magical artifact named the Talisman against enemies.
100	* ''Franchise/StarWars'':
101	** Padmé is this in ''Film/ThePhantomMenace'' and ''Film/AttackOfTheClones''. She's a refined, dignified noblewoman who prefers negotiation and discussion but is a dead shot with a blaster when she needs to be.
102	** Her daughter Leia follows in her footsteps, though she is less dignified and more of a firebrand, especially in ''Film/ANewHope''.
103	* Even though Selene from the ''Film/Underworld2003'' can [[SuperStrength rip most her enemies to shreds with her bare hands]], she ''always'' prefers killing them more elegantly, with weapons and acrobatics, if she can avoid it. This is in particularly striking contrast to the brutal fighting styles of Michael and [[spoiler:their daughter, Eve]], in ''Film/UnderworldAwakening''.
104	* ''Film/{{Willow}}'': Sorsha is a badass warrior. Later in life, as a queen, she retrieves her trademark back-edge-serrated curved sword from a secret armory in her bedchambers when the Gales attack Tir Asleen. In both cases, especially the latter, she has an elegant feminine look while fighting.
105	* Mariko Yashida from ''Film/TheWolverine'' has the dignified demeanor of one when she fights.
106	* ''Film/WonderWoman2017'': Befitting her status as the Princess of Themyscira, Diana is dignified, sophisticated, and graceful, as well as an unparalleled warrior who fights with techniques refined from centuries of Amazonian training to complement her superhuman strength.
107	[[/folder]]
108
109	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
110	* Lexa from ''Series/The100''. She's her people's leader, is always [[TheStoic calm and composed]], and, by the standards of her BarbarianTribe, she dresses and acts rather regally. She hasn't had too many fight scenes, but when she does fight, it's with a swift and graceful economy of movement.
111	* Peggy Carter of ''Series/AgentCarter'', much like her comic book-counterpart. Elegant and [[KickingAssInAllHerFinery stylish]], she maintains her impeccable grace as she [[ColdSniper calmly]] shoots at enemies and even when using [[CombatPragmatist brutal]] punches and kicks or [[ImprovisedWeapon improvised weapons]]. She first appeared in Film/CaptainAmericaTheFirstAvenger where she was Steve's main love interest and was Lady of War there too; her popularity led to her getting her own series, thus becoming the first solo heroine in the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse.
112	* ''Series/{{Angel}}'': Cordelia Chase becomes one following a few lessons in swordsmanship by Angel.
113	* ''Series/{{Arrow}}'' has two notable examples in its female [[MurderInc League of Assassins]] members.
114	** Sara Lance. Reserved and merciless, she moves gracefully in battle, employing [[DanceBattler gymnastic flips and dance-like movements]], and batons that can combine to form a [[MartialArtsStaff bo staff]]. She also dons a more elegant outfit as the White Canary in ''Series/LegendsOfTomorrow''. However, unlike most Ladies of War, she displays a fun-loving attitude outside of missions.
115	** Nyssa Al-Ghul, daughter of [[TheDreaded Ra's Al-Ghul]], is a ruthless, poised warrior whose regal demeanor carries over to combat. Her preferred weapon is even a bow and arrow.
116	* ''Series/BabylonFive'': Ambassador Delenn is a very elegant ProperLady from a CrystalSpiresAndTogas race of SpaceElves. [[https://youtu.be/DtNtw2HTFtA When she decides to fight]], fleets of powerful warships are mobilized, and enemy vessels run like hell to avoid getting turned into space dust.
117	* In ''Series/ChinesePaladin'', Ling'er develops into this, as her [[TheStoic calm, quiet and reserved]] personality, minimalist fighting style, and dress style contrasts with the more rambunctious and tomboyish Yue'Ru. Although Ling'er primarily uses magic as a ranged weapon, she can also handle a sword and staff.
118	* Madame Vastra in ''Series/DoctorWho'' is a dignified, very intelligent LipstickLesbian [[LizardFolk Silurian]] onna-bugeisha who ate UsefulNotes/JackTheRipper. And her lover Jenny is certainly no slouch in this department either.
119	* ''Series/Dracula2013'': Lady Jayne's an elegant, stylish aristocratic woman who is also a skilled fighter. While fighting she moves gracefully and easily defeats most opponents.
120	* Aeryn Sun from ''Series/{{Farscape}}''. Her status as an official series badass is cemented in the first episode and restated innumerable times thereafter. Even after her [[DefrostingIceQueen defrosting]], she continues to regularly kick metric tonnes of ass, especially when a certain child is involved.
121	* ''Series/GameOfThrones'': Daenerys shows shades of this when she rides Drogon to burn the slavers' fleet in all her queenly, regal glory. Later, she fights a third of the Lannister-Tarly forces from atop Drogon in the Battle of the Goldroad.
122	* ''Series/GeneralAndI'': Bai Ping Ting is rarely seen in anything but long, flowing dresses. Doesn't stop her fighting when she needs to.
123	* Kahlan from ''Series/LegendOfTheSeeker'', who frequently battles in slow-motion with knives without mussing her pretty medieval dresses.
124	* ''Series/LoveAndDestiny'': Yuan Tong wields a sword while wearing a long, flowing dress.
125	* In ''Series/MahouSentaiMagiranger'', Miyuki Ozu and her [[Series/PowerRangersMysticForce Power Rangers]] counterpart Udonna. They each have her own ranger transformations and their fight scenes have a sense of grace the rangers themselves lack. Also, in Magiranger, Miyuki's patron Heavenly Saint was the female Snowgel, a rare BareFistedMonk Lady Of War.
126	* ''Series/NirvanaInFire'': Nihuang has protected the southern border from invasion as the general of the southern fortress for years and she's so awesome at martial arts than none of the skilled warriors from all around China that come to compete as her potential suitors are able to beat her in a one on one duel.
127	* ''Series/Numb3rs'': Megan, Terry, Nikki, and Liz, who are FBI agents. Amita has some shades of this, especially in the season four episode "Primacy".
128	* ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' plays it straight with Jadzia Dax, an elegant and graceful fighter who knows Klingon martial arts and has a Bat'leth. Averted harshly with Kira Nerys, who grew up under the Cardassian Occupation and was a leader of [[TheRevolutionWillNotBeCivilized the Bajoran Resistance]] and as a result, is a CombatPragmatist of the first order.
129	* ''Series/TenMilesOfPeachBlossoms'': Yao Guang is a dark example. She duels Mo Yuan while wearing a long, flowing dress, and she's a good enough fighter that she's only defeated when he turns her own attack against her.
130	* In ''Series/TerminatorTheSarahConnorChronicles'', Cameron certainly fits a number of the characteristics, especially in regards to her absolute calm, feminine grace, and physical ability. Though in her case, much of it is due to the fact that she is also a [[RobotGirl very scary robot.]] But [[BerserkButton don't let her catch you calling her that.]]
131	** Weaver fits the trope even better in personality and dress sense. Being BulletProofFashionPlate also helps. Although we don't see her fighting very often, because she could probably [[CurbStompBattle curb-stomp]] all of the other characters at once.
132	* Michonne and Carol Peletier from ''Series/TheWalkingDead2010''. Michonne is of noble character and coolly disposes of Walkers with grace and quickness. Carol is a mature and composed TeamMom and kills with knives and firearms whilst maintaining a stoic expression.
133	* ''Series/WonderWoman1975'': Figuratively and literally in Princess Diana's case. Wonder Woman only fights when forced and makes every effort to understand and often rehabilitate her foes. Literally true in that she left Paradise Island and joined the United States Navy to fight in World War II "for the old red, white, and blue".
134	[[/folder]]
135
136	[[folder:Manhua]]
137	* One of the characters in ''Manhua/BloodlineTheLastRoyalVampire'' is ''called'' the Lady of War. She first fits this by being the commander of the Shengdi in the prequels. She then fits the bill as she is dressed in religious war clothing and [[AsskickingLeadsToLeadership shows why she's one of the top]].
138	[[/folder]]
139
140	[[folder:Mythology and Religion]]
141	* Deborah from Literature/TheBible, [[TheHighQueen fourth Judge of Israel]]. So inspirational that her appointed military leader didn't think he could win the impending battle without her.
142	* Myth/ClassicalMythology:
143	** The goddess Athena (known as Minerva to the Romans) is primarily the goddess of wisdom and crafts, but is also a goddess of defensive and strategic warfare (as opposed to Ares, who deals in [[BloodKnight offensive war, brutality, etc]]). She is portrayed as a "virgin goddess," meaning that either [[CelibateHero she never got laid]] or she never married (or both), and is portrayed as calm, wise, sly and dignified. She intervenes on the side of the Greeks on several occasions in ''Literature/TheIliad'', and helps Odysseus on multiple times in that epic and in ''Literature/TheOdyssey''. She was also the patron goddess of Athens (which was named for her). Thanks to Athena, this trope is OlderThanFeudalism.
144	** Hera, the queen of the gods, also qualifies. Although she wasn't a war goddess like Athena, she fought in the Titanomachy alongside her brothers and her sister Demeter. She also served as Athena's charioteer in the Trojan War and beat ActionGirl extraordinaire Artemis with her own bow.
145	* In Myth/EgyptianMythology, Isis was the queen of the gods and the powerful goddess of magic. She was the pantheon's best spellcaster (rivaled only by Thoth), as well as a MamaBear who fought fiercely to protect her son, Horus, from his EvilUncle Set.
146	[[/folder]]
147
148	[[folder:Professional Wrestling]]
149	* La Revolución Domincana's La Morena, la reina del estilo y la violencia, la prieta del swing.
150	* Simply D'Vyne's mantra was to win by any means necessary, even if it came to lying, cheating or stealing, so long as it could be done with style and grace.
151	* Wrestling/KimberLee, the so-called "First Lady Of The [[Wrestling/{{CZW}} Combat Zone]]", besides having a vision for the company where men were equal to women, also joined Drew Gulak's campaign to create [[LetsFightLikeGentlemen a more respectable]] Combat Zone by [[GlassJawReferee ending abuse of officials]] and cutting back on {{Garbage Wrestl\|er}}ing. This lead her to attacking Wrestling/ChristinaVonEerie, who besides displaying some surprising agility, was [[TheQuincyPunk the very opposite of graceful in every way and viewed as a cultural degenerate]] for her nontraditional ring gear, numerous tattoos, mohawk, [[GarbageWrestler tendency to weaponize whatever isn't bolted down]] and of course, [[SpitefulSpit spitting]].
152	* In spite of [[CardCarryingVillain the name]], Made In Sin like to think of themselves as classy and are hurt by any accusations toward them that sound unbecoming of proper ladies. However, pearl necklaces and wine glasses do little to obscure the fact Wrestling/AllysinKay is still a thug at heart and they both like to load their "insurance policy" down with various foreign objects. Rival {{tag team}} Better Than You also self identify as "class" but are less defensive about it, caring as much about public perception as the name implies.
153	* Lady Frost became ''more'' proper as she transitioned from valet to wrestler, wearing furs, silks, necklaces, more elaborately styling her hair, turning down trivial social gatherings, rejecting starchy food and falling out with {{pop cultur\|alosmosisfailure}}e. Frost became more concerned about beating people gracefully, if not necessarily fairly, lamenting that she made an ugly face while illegally choking out Joseline Navarro in route to her first title belt.[[/folder]]
154
155	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
156	* ''TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms'':
157	** Red Knight, the Faerunian goddess of strategy and tactics (that is, her holy symbol is a ''chess'' knight), has elements of this. Her intelligence and reserve make her a natural counterbalance to the berserker war deity Garagos.
158	** Not that there was a shortage of stylish warlike nobility on Faerun, including female nobles, due to elven influences. For that matter...
159	--->'''Ilsevele:''' Don't you dare suggest that it might be too dangerous for me, Araevin. I am one of the best spellarchers on this island and I am an officer in the Queen's Guard. [[note]]And later the sovereign in another place. After they parted ways.[[/note]]
160	* ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'' has a few, most notably [[http://ww2.wizards.com/gatherer/CardDetails.aspx?id=106405 Mirri]], an elegant {{cat\|Folk}}woman from the ''Weatherlight'' saga ("Full of beauty and grace, with a predator's instincts..."), and [[http://ww2.wizards.com/gatherer/CardDetails.aspx?&id=36451 Jeska]], a steely female barbarian from the ''Odyssey'' storyline ("My brother and I both come from Balthor's forge. Kamahl has a temper of fire. I have a temper of steel.").
161	* ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'': Falayna is the [[CelestialParagonsAndArchangels Empyreal Lord]] of femininity, rings, and martial training. She's as strong and elegant as that combination would suggest, and her followers often follow suit.
162	[[/folder]]
163
164	[[folder:Theatre]]
165	* In Creator/JohnMilton's ''Theater/{{Comus}}'', the elder brother invokes this in the Greek goddesses:
166	-->''Hence had the huntress Dian her dread bow\
167	Fair silver-shafted queen [[VirginPower for ever chaste]],\
168	Wherewith she tamed the brinded lioness\
169	And spotted mountain-pard, but set at nought\
170	The frivolous bolt of Cupid; gods and men\
171	Feared her stern frown, and she was queen o' the woods.\
172	What was that snaky-headed Gorgon shield\
173	That wise Minerva wore, [[VirginPower unconquered virgin]],\
174	Wherewith she freezed her foes to congealed stone,\
175	But rigid looks of chaste austerity,\
176	And noble grace that dashed brute violence\
177	With sudden adoration and blank awe?''
178	* Queen Margaret of ''Theatre/HenryVI'' famously dons armor and rides into battle from time to time. Depends on the production, but she often retains her full queenliness doing it.
179	* ''Theatre/TheLionInWinter'': Eleanor of Aquitaine apparently has had her moments:
180	--> I even made poor Louis take me on crusade. How's that for blasphemy? I dressed my maids as Amazons and rode bare-breasted halfway to Damascus. Louis had a seizure, and I damn near died of windburn... but the troops were dazzled.
181	* [[Theatre/{{Macbeth}} Lady Macbeth]] never quite crosses the line into fighter territory, but she remains poised and glamorous throughout while masterminding her husband's way to the throne and getting her hands dirty.
182	[[/folder]]
183
184	[[folder:Toys]]
185	* Gali from ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}''. She's notable for being TheSmartGuy, TheHeart and having ''invented her own martial arts/gymnastics discipline'' just to qualify for this trope. Her five brother-Toa? They're pretty direct, inelegant, and can't work together well even if they're friendly. In-universe, Gali essentially invented this trope whole-cloth.
186	[[/folder]]
187
188	[[folder:Visual Novels]]
189	* Subverted with Sakura Oogami from ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaTriggerHappyHavoc''. She's a master of martial arts and has a [[TheStoic calm demeanor]], ''extremely'' polite speech patterns (rendered as YeOldeButcheredeEnglishe in the LetsPlay), and a very high status as the [[HeirToTheDojo heir to a famous dojo]], but considering [[LadyLooksLikeADude her masculine looks]] and [[UsefulNotes/MixedMartialArts her fighting style]], she's probably the least feminine-looking Lady of War ever.
190	* Saber, the "[[RedBaron King of Knights]]", from ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' [[BattleBallgown wears armor over a dress]], wears her hair in a PrimAndProperBun, and is a graceful, demure, and elegant master of the sword. Her true identity is later revealed to be [[spoiler:[[SheIsTheKing King Arthur Pendragon]]]].
191	[[/folder]]
192
193	[[folder:Web Animation]]
194	* ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'':
195	** [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold Blunt attitude aside]], Weiss Schnee is the most feminine and elegant fighter in the series. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt9vl8iAN5Q&t=1m9s Her fighting style appears to be a combination of fencing and figure skating.]] She remains cool and calmly collected in battle, and uses her [[RoyalRapier Myrtenaster]] with precision and calculation.
196	** [[AloofDarkHairedGirl Blake]] [[{{Ninja}} Belladonna]] relies more on [[SheFu acrobatics]], [[FlashStep speed]] and stealth than brute strength or large weapons when she fights, and fights with a [[SwissArmyWeapon whip/gun/katana]]. She is also very composed; usually more than Weiss.
197	** [[TheAce Pyrrha Nikos]], who's a renowned three-time champion of the Vytal Tournament, is armed with a sword and shield, which she summons using her semblance, and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQUys48E0KE fights with fluid and graceful manner]]. This becomes more the case when it revealed that she [[spoiler: also [[TheStrategist uses her semblance to subtly "nudge" her opponents' attacks off-center]]]], creating the impression that she's untouchable.
198	** Neo, Roman Torchwick's bodyguard, is petite, [[CuteMute never speaks]], and [[CurbStompBattle completely]] did [[BoisterousBruiser Yang]] [[LightningBruiser Xiao]] [[PlayingWithFire Long]] in by casually dodging her punches, deflecting her attacks with a ParasolOfPain, and using her own attack to knock her out, all while maintaining a dignified air and smirking the entire way through. She even took the time to pose gracefully every so often during the fight, just to mock Yang and piss her off.
199	** Winter Schnee, like her younger sister, attacks with much agility and precision using a saber and is very aloof and dignified. One of her glyphs involves a hail of birds flying at her enemy. However, she does have a quick temper and can be easily goaded into charging her enemy.
200	** Maintaining an air of calm and reserve even in the heat of battle, when Cinder Fall infiltrates Beacon Tower, she initially employs stealth, then fights the guards in spinning and whirling style that makes it appear as though she's dancing. When Ruby confronts her, she makes summoning forth a bow and arrows while engaging in leaping dodges look effortless.
201	** Raven Branwen is very much a calm, calculating, and very dangerous combatant [[spoiler: even before it's revealed she is the Spring Maiden]]. She also has the haughty demeanor, even if it's in service to a very selfish and amoral belief system.
202	[[/folder]]
203
204	[[folder:Webcomics]]
205	* ''Webcomic/CucumberQuest'':
206	** On the rare occasions her more feminine side shows through, Almond. Her combat showing during the BeautyContest in the Flower Kingdom is a notable example of this, during which, using her sword, she swiftly disarms several of her opponents of the flower pins necessary to remain in the contest, never actually hurting any of them, and all the while never tarnishing her newly-acquired PimpedOutDress.
207	** While she also has elements of LadyOfBlackMagic, Rosemaster is definitely this. She's polite, dignified, and [[UnlimitedWardrobe never wears the same outfit twice]], and her GreenThumb fighting style is a combination of practiced grace and deadly precision.
208	* ''Webcomic/{{Gosu}}'': As the [[AsskickingLeadsToLeadership current leader]] of the Baekma Valley,[[note]]A renowned assassination and black markets faction.[[/note]] Jin Garyeong qualifies by default. It makes sense considering who her grandfather is.
209	* Therkla from ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'', albeit as much as the [[StylisticSuck limited art style]] can allow. As a McNinja, she always favors stealth and opportunistic strikes over direct confrontation, and in the rare moments she's in direct combat she tends to use [[SheFu acrobatic maneuvers and grappling]] far more than any other female character.
210	[[/folder]]
211
212	[[folder:Web Original]]
213	* In ''The Literature/WhateleyUniverse'', while Fey of the SuperHeroSchool Whateley Academy is a mage, she fits this trope pretty well. She's been given a magic scimitar which she learns to use, and she's learning to wield the bow. She's literally a princess since part of her is an ancient Sidhe queen. And her fighting style is Tai Chi with grace since her Faerie glamour won't permit anything else.
214	* In ''Literature/{{Worm}}'', Contessa is described as extremely graceful in combat and incapacitates the Chicago Wards and [[spoiler:Weaver]] mainly by [[DeadlyDodging letting them hit each other]], without even getting dirty.
215	[[/folder]]
216
217	[[folder:Western Animation]]
218	* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'':
219	** Mai prefers throwing knives to getting her hands dirty and maintains an air of calm in victory and defeat alike.
220	** Avatar Kyoshi had a very regal and imposing presence due to her [[AmazonianBeauty physical size]], [[TranquilFury calm]] deep voice provided by Creator/JenniferHale, and [[KickingAssInAllHerFinery dress]]. Her followers, the Kyoshi Warriors, wear the same uniform: modern-day war fatigues, make-up that serves as war paint, and metal fans which can be used as ranged throwing weapons. They all look the part but their personalities are as diverse as Suki to Ty Lee.
221	* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'':
222	** Lin Beifong, [[SpinOffspring daughter]] of Toph Beifong and chief of police, is an IronLady of a [[ExtraOreDinary metalbender]], using metal cables to bind enemies to toss them around and perform acrobatics. Her style of [[DishingOutDirt earthbending]] is also much more refined than most others. She has a cool, authoritative demeanor and [[DefiantToTheEnd doesn't lose her dignity]] as she is [[spoiler:de-bended by Amon]].
223	** Team Avatar's [[Characters/TheLegendOfKorraAsamiSato Asami Sato]] is a tall, graceful BadassNormal martial artist whose weapon of choice is an [[StaticStunGun electrified glove]]. Her fighting style is ''very'' elegant, using [[SheFu acrobatics]] and nimble movements. In Book 3, she shows that she can jump over a speeding motorcycle, kick the rider off, ''and'' finish with a graceful landing.
224	** [[Characters/TheLegendOfKorraKuvira Kuvira]], the BigBad of Book 4. A composed metalbender, she [[ClothingCombat shoots the metal strips from her armor]] at opponents to blind them or bind their limbs to toss them around, all done using agile and precise movements. During her fight with Korra, she dodges all her attacks until she goes into the [[SuperMode Avatar State]] while maintaining an air of dignity.
225	* Rose Richards from the short-lived toy-based-cartoon ''WesternAnimation/PeppermintRose'' TV special had an alternative fighting style which involved singing, foiling Queen Beeteelya's plan of eating the magic flower.
226	* ''WesternAnimation/SheRaPrincessOfPower'' has all the earmarks... high-born, [[ElegantWeaponForAMoreCivilizedAge sword-wielding]] ActionHeroine with a calm demeanor. Unlike most Ladies of War, however, she displays a cheerful, pleasant attitude and a willingness to joke and laugh with the rest of her cast...probably due to being [[TheHero The Heroine]] of her show.
227	* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'':
228	** [[Characters/StevenUniversePearl Pearl]] fights primarily with a magical spear, though she also uses swords, and her fighting style is based around ballet, so it includes lots of graceful twirls and spins. This is taken further with her calm and perfectionist nerve in combat.
229	** Opal, the fusion of Amethyst and Pearl, inherits Pearl's perfectionist nerve; she's collected and composed and she battles with flowing, graceful, and precise archery.
230	** [[Characters/StevenUniverseRoseQuartz Rose Quartz]] was gentle and graceful in life, but she also led a successful rebellion against Homeworld and was extremely capable of fighting with or without her sword and shield.
231	* Emma (from ''WesternAnimation/{{Stoked}}'') uses her alternative fighting style on the Hawaiian waves (which, in turn, is based around the art of surfing) while doing extreme jumps and spins.
232	* While she was a LittleMissBadass in her youth, Ahsoka Tano has grown into a full example by ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels'', graceful, composed, and one of the deadliest combatants in the series. She's even addressed as "Lady Tano".
233	* ''WesternAnimation/VoltronLegendaryDefender'': Princess Allura is a feminine, elegant [[SpaceElves Altean]] princess and a very competent warrior, wielding the Blue Bayard as an [[WhipSword urumi]] and later a [[NaginatasAreFeminine spear]] with great grace. She also pilots her Lion with more composure and poise than her fellow Paladins once she understands how to use it.
234	** Kroila, a member of the Galran Blades of Mamora [[spoiler: and Keith’s mother]] also qualifies as she’s usually graceful and calm while fighting or thinking her way out of tough situations.
235	* Subverted in ''WesternAnimation/WhatIf2021'' when Peggy Carter, mentioned under 'Live-Action TV', becomes the Super-Soldier instead of Steve Rogers. She's still feminine, but her fighting style as Captain Carter is much more brutish than the normal version, who relied on wits and finesse to take down men twice her size. Meanwhile, Captain Carter simply punches their lights out.
236	[[/folder]]
237
238	[[folder:Real Life]]
239	* In Japan, certain martial arts are considered highly compatible with [[YamatoNadeshiko traditional feminine ideals]] -- among them are archery and ''[[NaginatasAreFeminine naginatajutsu]]''.
240	* [[InsistentTerminology Saint]] UsefulNotes/JoanOfArc, at least in popular legend. In reality she made it clear that she never actually killed anyone. Some historians have concluded that she was actually a charismatic standard-bearer with a talent for inspiring the troops. But this made her no stranger to battle, as being a standard-bearer was one of the more dangerous duties one could have on a battlefield. She also never formally held a command, being a peasant. In any case, the nobles commanding the armies did listen to her tactical advice, and historians generally agree that her aggressive strategy and emphasis on artillery were influential and important to French victories during her brief time in the army.
241	* Artemisia, Queen of Halicarnassus in the UsefulNotes/GrecoPersianWars sailed in the Battle of Salamis in her own time. She was cunning and ruthless but at the same time, she had a streak of [[MagnificentBastard style]] that makes it easy to see why sailors would follow her even though she was a [[ValuesDissonance Woman of Antiquity]]. The Persian King of Kings, when he got the report of her performance as opposed to the male commanders, is said to have quipped, "My men fight like women, and my woman fights like a man."
242	* In 1513, with King Henry VIII off fighting the French, the Scots decided to invade England. Absolutely nobody expected Henry's wife and regent, Catherine of Aragon to ride north in full armor while ''pregnant'' and raise another army. The Scots were resoundingly defeated at the Battle of Flodden (she didn't personally command the battle though, that was Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey).
243	* Any Finnish woman who has graduated from RUK (Reserve Officer Academy). The Finnish armed forces are notorious in the respect that it gives absolutely ''no'' handicaps for anyone because of gender. Those women who have made it through Reserve Officer Academy have done it with ''exactly'' the same requirements and standards as their male brethren. Many become later career officers or policewomen.
244	* The Israelis. The [[UsefulNotes/IsraelisWithInfraredMissiles Israeli army]] is based on ''universal'' {{conscription}}, ''including women'', and those Israeli women who have served are tough as nails. Creator/GalGadot is most famous for [[Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse playing another]] [[ComicBook/WonderWoman particularly well-known example]].
245	* A pedantic note; female fighters of the samurai class were not unknown in medieval Japan, although the term "samurai" was never used: the term "onna-bugeisha", which can loosely be translated "lady of war", was employed.
246	** UsefulNotes/TomoeGozen, an onna-bugeisha during the Genpei War. A noblewoman and wife to Minamoto no Yoshinaka, she was reputed to be not only very beautiful but also a great warrior–a remarkable archer and swordswoman more brave and competent than every other warrior in her army. Due to the many stories of her beauty and strength, she has become a legendary figure in Japan.
247	* The semi-legendary Japanese [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empress_Jingū Empress Jingū]]. After her husband died in battle, she destroyed the rebels that had killed him, and then led an invasion of Korea.
248	* Vietnam, being a country with a long history of struggles against various foreign forces trying to subjugate them and a long history of matriarchy, has quite [[https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%E1%BB%83_lo%E1%BA%A1i:N%E1%BB%AF_t%C6%B0%E1%BB%9Bng_Vi%E1%BB%87t_Nam a few of these]], if they aren't outright {{Action Girl}}s. A few notable ones includes:
249	** The Trưng Sisters, military leaders who ruled for three years after rebelling in AD 40 against the first Chinese domination of Vietnam and worshipped widely as folk heroes. Their leadership also has many female local leaders, who are venerated local folk heroes on their own right.
250	** Lady Triệu, who is called "Vietnamese Joan of Arc". While her rebellion was quickly quashed, [[EnsembleDarkhorse she is a venerated folk hero]].
251	** Bùi Thị Nhạn and Bùi Thị Xuân, two major queen consorts of the Tây Sơn dynasties who are significant military trainers for their husband's troops.
252	[[/folder]]

Context Main / LadyOfWar