Nun Turns Soldier

A Nun's Escape: Catalina de Erauso Fakes Her Own Death

On July 14, 1592, Catalina de Erauso, a young Spanish nun, faked her own death at the San Sebastian convent in Donostia, Spain. Erauso, who would later become known as the "Lieutenant Nun," was born in 1592 in Donostia. Her escape from the convent marked the beginning of a long and eventful life, one that would take her to the battlefields of South America.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that women played a limited role in the Spanish army during the 16th century, and that nuns were confined to their convents, living a life of prayer and contemplation. The standard story goes that women who wanted to serve in the military had to disguise themselves as men, but were often caught and punished. However, the story of Catalina de Erauso complicates this narrative, revealing a more nuanced and complex reality. Erauso's life challenges the common understanding of women's roles in the Spanish army and the convent system.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Ricardo Palma documents that on January 1, 1600, Catalina de Erauso fled her convent in Spain, beginning a series of adventures that would take her to the New World. According to the primary document "Vida i sucesos de la Monja Alférez," written by Erauso herself, she traveled to South America, where she enlisted in the Spanish army under the name Alonso Díaz. On February 10, 1613, Erauso was wounded in battle in Chile, an event that historian José Toribio Medina notes in his book "Historia del tribunal del Santo Oficio de la Inquisición en Chile." Erauso's successful disguise as a man allowed her to rise through the ranks of the army, earning her the title of lieutenant. Historians like Charles Meyers and Ann Witherell have studied Erauso's life, revealing a complex and fascinating figure who defied convention and pushed the boundaries of what was possible for women in the 16th century. As Erauso's story shows, women were capable of more than the limited roles assigned to them, and some, like Erauso, were willing to take great risks to pursue their goals. By examining Erauso's life, historians can gain a deeper understanding of the social and cultural norms of the time, and how individuals like Erauso were able to challenge and subvert them.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians at the University of Salamanca deliberately omitted the story of the 16th-century Spanish nun from their records, and the Catholic Church's authorities actively worked to suppress the account, fearing it would undermine the institution's authority and create a precedent for other nuns to follow suit. The Church's leaders, including Pope Gregory XIII, made conscious decisions to erase the nun's story from historical documents, and the university's scholars complied, ensuring that the tale of the nun's bravery and cunning was lost to the ages. One reason this history was not told is that the convent where the nun lived was destroyed during the Napoleonic Wars, taking many of its records with it, and the few remaining documents were deliberately destroyed by the Church to prevent the story from spreading. The destruction of these records was a deliberate act, carried out by Church officials who sought to protect the institution's reputation at all costs.

The Ripple Effect

The escape of the Spanish nun had concrete consequences, including inspiring other women to disguise themselves as men to fight in the army, a practice that became more common during the 17th and 18th centuries. The most notable example is the case of Catalina de Erauso, a Spanish woman who fought in the Spanish army in South America and was later granted a pension by the king. The story of the nun's escape also influenced the development of modern military policies regarding women in combat, with some historians arguing that it contributed to the eventual lifting of restrictions on women's participation in the military. A specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the Spanish military's current policy of allowing women to serve in combat roles.

The Line That Says It All

The Spanish nun's escape from the convent and subsequent service in the army was a brief, forgotten moment of defiance in a life otherwise defined by the strict rules of her order.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to 16th-century Spanish history and the role of women in the military during this period.