Female Warriors, Vol. 1 (of 2): Memorials of Female Valour and Heroism, from the Mythological Ages to the Present Era.Clayton, Ellen C. (Ellen Creathorne)
History
Female Warriors, Vol. 1 (of 2): Memorials of Female Valour and Heroism, from the Mythological Ages to the Present Era.
Clayton, Ellen C. (Ellen Creathorne)
Amazons; Women -- Biography; Women soldiers
Jeanne Fourquet deposited the flag she had taken in one of the churches
of Beauvais--doubtless that of the Jacobins, where it was preserved for
many years. It may now be seen at the Hôtel de Ville. Louis XI. granted
to her the privilege of bearing this standard at the head of the French
army. Some years after this great event, Jeanne married Collin Pillon,
when, not only was she herself exempted from taxation, but the same
immunity was granted to her descendants.
It is neither by the name of Fourquet nor Pillon that the heroine is
famous. The weapon with which she was armed gave her a more illustrious
surname; and since that valiant deed, for which her countrymen must
ever remember her with gratitude, she has been known as Jeanne Hachette.
Her portrait may still be seen at Beauvais; and in commemoration of
her bravery, the anniversary of July 10th is celebrated by an annual
procession, in which the women march before the men.
Napoleon III., when President of the French Republic, inaugurated a
statue of Jeanne Hachette at Beauvais.
* * * * *
During the civil wars which agitated Castile towards the close of the
century, the fortress of Toro was, by a curious coincidence, twice
defended by female commanders, the wives of two brothers opposed to
one another in politics. In 1475 it was held for Isabel the Catholic
by Doña Aldonza de Castillo, wife of the Alcayde, Don Rodrigo de
Ulloa, governor of the fortress. After the retreat of Ferdinand,
husband of Isabel, she was compelled to surrender. In the following
year the fortress was defended against the troops of Ferdinand and
Isabel by Doña Maria Sarmiento, wife of Don Juan de Ulloa. All hopes
of assistance having been dispelled, she obtained honourable terms of
capitulation.
* * * * *
The same year, 1476, Isabel the Catholic having received intelligence
that the Portuguese meditated invading her dominions, resolved to
superintend in person the defence of the frontiers. Despite the
remonstrances of her council, she set out for Estramadura in the
summer of 1477, and, after capturing several fortresses, and placing
strong garrisons in Badajoz, Ciudad Rodrigo, and other frontier towns,
established her head-quarters at Seville.
Queen Isabel again displayed her wish to be a warrior during the
contest between Ferdinand and the Moors. In 1487 and 1489 she
encouraged the Spanish soldiers by her presence in the camp. In 1491
Ferdinand commenced the siege of Granada. Isabel arrived towards the
close of May. Attired in a magnificent suit of armour, and mounted on a
richly caparisoned horse, she rode through the ranks, greeted on all
sides with joyful acclamations.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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