beautifuldavinci:

Juana Galán;  (Valdepeñas (Spain), 1787 - 1812)

A guerrillafighter of thePeninsular War(1808–1814). At twenty years old, she was considered the best informed woman of the village, because she worked in a strategic location, the first tavern in the village.

On June 6, 1808, in the battle in Valdepeñas against Napoleon’s troops, there was a lack of sufficient men to defend the village, so she encouraged women to go out and fight.

The other women poured hot water through the windows and boiling hot oil on the road, while Galán was armed with a baton. She took to the street to fight against the French cavalry.

Through this battle, the French army abandoned the province ofLa Manchaand was delayed at theBattle of Bailén, which ended in victory for the Spaniards. Also was granted to this town the title “Very heroic.”

Juana married on May 2, 1810, to Bartolomé Ruiz de Lerma, fromValdepeñas, with whom she had two daughters. She died during her second daughter’s birth on September 24, 1812, the same dayLa Manchawas released by the troops of Napoleon.

(via pmikos)