Photos from open sources of
Yes, it really was, a real knightly order, consisting exclusively of women. Where and when? But read further and you will learn everything.
In public consciousness, the image of a woman is affirmed as in the first turn of the spouse, mother, teacher of children and keeper hearth. However, among the fair sex there were always bright personalities who considered their calling military service. On the battlefield with a rifle, saber or sword in hand they argued that in no way inferior to men. And if war came to the threshold of the house, then for the protection of the house and children by the warriors there were women who had not thought about the war yesterday.
In the 8th century, Arabs crossed over Gibraltar and conquered most of the Iberian Peninsula. Christians with no loss humbled themselves and began to conquer the lost lands back. Almost 800 years, Christians and Muslims fought for the territory of future Spain, cities have repeatedly experienced prolonged sieges during which both men and women fought on equal terms.
In 1148, Count Raimund IV of Barcelona repelled Tortosa from the Saracens. – An important stronghold near the coast. After a year of Saracens decided to regain the fortress. The time was chosen very well: the count stole the garrison and storm almost the entire male population lying to the north-east of Tortosa, Lerida. Saracens surrounded seemed defenseless to Torotos and demanded surrender winners. However, the city refused.
Tortosa women climbed the walls. Not limited to throwing stones at Saracen from the ramparts, they dressed as men clothes and beat off storm by storm. Not knowing how to wield a sword or with a spear, women picked up axes more familiar to them and waved them like real woodcutters.
When the Count of Barcelona rushed under the walls of Tortosa, his help was no longer required – the Saracens lifted the siege and left, failing to to break the resistance of the Cakeos women.
Raimund IV bowed his head before women and in recognition of their valor, made them just a terrific gift: established for women Knightly Order of the Ax (Orden de la Hacha). The emblem of the Order became red ax, members of the order were exempted from taxes, received the right to participate in the same meetings as men, chivalrous the title was transmitted exclusively through the female line.
A photo from open sources
The Order of the Ax left no noticeable mark on history. Can suggest that the vast majority of women having received chivalric title, again became caring mothers and faithful spouses. it there was rather an order of honor than a combat organization. If what the number of members of the order and decided to take advantage of the benefits and embarked on a military path – the number of these warriors was too not enough to make up a military unit and gain a foothold in the annals stories.
The last time the Order of the Ax flashed in the chronicles of Tortosa in 1557 year, after which it disappeared forever. He was never dissolved, rather all ended when the last died female knight.
Not only the Order of the Ax
The Order of the Ax is the only known purely female history knightly order. However, in male military monastic orders often were representatives of the fair sex. It happened so often that in medieval french and italian languages had a separate word for the definition of a female knight gender.
Women were members of the Italian Order of St. Mary, women were admitted to the Military Order of the Swordsmen of St. Jacob. Separate women units had the Order of Hospitallers and even the Teutonic Order. Not always women knights wore armor and fought on the battlefield. More often the whole area of their activity was the hospital in which they nursed the wounded brothers. However, in accordance with the charter, each a member of the order could carry weapons to defend the Catholic faith and many women whom the Lord did not deprive of courage took advantage of this.
Pope Gregory VIII banned women with a special bull participate in the Third Crusade. However a personal chronicler Saladina writes with enthusiasm about the Crusader women: “they courageous and hardy, and until they take off their clothes, do not recognize women. “Apparently, the Christian didn’t listen very much. warriors to the exhortations of the pope.
A photo from open sources
And later, women more than once appeared on the military field. AND if today a woman in camouflage doesn’t surprise anyone, then why should we think that this has never happened before?
Posted by Klim Podkova
War time
