Attn: Facts incoming.
Mount and Blade was originally developed by a husband wife team, alone. That is as equal as you can get. Mount and Blade and Warband take place in Calradia, a fictional Middle Ages land based around fictional nations. These nations respected the female as equals, as is told in the beginning of the game. Mount and Blade and Warband both were developed by Taleworlds, with the original husband/wife team leading the charge.
With Fire and Sword was developed by an outside developer that came to Taleworlds and asked them if they wished to make a game based on a book that was written in the 1800s, about a period 100-200 years earlier. It was based around male nobility of the time, with their wives playing secondary roles. This game is meant to mirror the book, with you playing a 'main character' of sorts. This book, time period, and game would benefit very little from a female as the main character, as it fits with nothing it is about.
I'm sorry that everyone here wishes to make such a big deal about this, but frankly I find you all to be equally ignorant. Those that are saying they are boycotting the game because of this are ignorant of the game, and are fools that think the word stops with them. Those that insult women are ignorant for very obvious reasons, and deserve no response or any dignifying response. Both parties are a disgrace, and you should all feel ashamed that you let emotions take over reality, and let your feeling of self worth take over your senses.
To wrap this up, I'll share a little something about myself. I am a Native American, and as a Native American, there aren't a lot of games made about me, even in games with character customization. Do I boycott every game that does not have Native Americans? No, I live with it. Women are a minority in the gaming community just as Native Americans are a minority everywhere. Women in the west are not oppressed beings, nor are they minorities, especially the white females. You are the majority, and this is an oddity in human history. As such, feel glad that you are now equal, and no, not having female characters in a game does not make you oppressed, nor does an ignorant 15 year old making sandwich jokes. If you find the need to continuously be insulted over every little thing about your sex, you will die a sad, lonely life, as no one will want to be around you, both women and men.