Various #2

In the late 18th century Despo Botssi, along with her 11 daughters and granddaughters were among the defenders of the Greek city of Souli. When it was obvious they would be overrun, the women blew up the powder rooms of the Castle of Dimoula killing themselves and the invading army. Lascarina Boubalina commanded four warships which she used to liberate costal towns from the Turks and engage Turkish ships at sea.


In 1808 an army of 12,000 French soldiers besieged the Spanish city of Saragossa. Augustina, called the "Maid of Saragossa", refused to leave her cannon on the walls and rallied the other defenders. She was later offered both military and civilian honors but merely asked to retain her rank of artillery captain, along with it's pay and benefits and the right to continue to bear arms and wear her uniform. She was written about by Byron and Southey and painted by Goya and Wilkie.


Marie Schellinck, a Belgian, fought for France in the Napoleonic Wars. She was wounded at Jemmappes, Austerlitz and Jena. She received the French Legion of Honor and a military pension in 1808. Virginie Ghesquiere who fought under Junot in Portugal and Angelique Brulon were two other women awarded the French Legion of Honor in the 18th century.


Skuld