Don Alonzo!

This is coolbert:

Just as Hans Ulrich Rudel fought bravely for his country in the 20th century, Don Alonso Diaz Ramirez de Guzman, a Spaniard, fought for the Spanish King and country in the early part of the 17th century.

This saga of a soldier for Spain in the new world is most amazing.

Wounded many times in battles with the Indians of New Spain [those Spanish colonies in the new world were all referred to as New Spain].

Finally, a disabling wound caused Don Alonso to return to Spain, to be awarded special honors. A petition to the King of Spain is most revealing in telling the story of the many battles of Don Alonso:

"of the last 19 years . . . spent 15 in the service of Your Majesty in the wars of the kingdom of Chile and the Indians of Peru, having traveled to those parts . . . owing to . . . particular inclination to take up arms in defense of the Catholic faith and in the service of Your Majesty . . . under the command of the Field Master Don Diego Bravo de Sarabia, . . . withstood the discomforts of military service . . . in every battle . . . deeds earned. . . the right to carry Your Majesty's flag, serving as . . . Ensign of the infantry company of Captain Gonzalo Rodríguez . . . In that period, . . . distinguished . . . with great courage and valor, suffering wounds, particularly in the battle of Peru. The troops having been reorganized, . . . moved to the company of Captain Guillén de Casanova, governor of the castle of Arauco, and was chosen as a valiant and fine soldier to go out and do battle with the enemy."

Indeed, Don Alonso was a valiant soldier, and fought many engagements against hostile Indians in the new world. Some of these exploits show great fighting skill on the part of Don Alonso:

" . . . accompanied the expedition to Valdivia, where, in a severe engagement,. . . with two soldiers rushed in among the Indians, mill both soldiers perished in the fight; but [Don Alonso] wounded many, and killed a cacique [chief], after receiving three wounds from arrows and one from a lance. For this exploit [Don Alonso] was appointed ensign, and served as such in the company of Alonso Moreno, in the battle of Puren, and when {his] captain fell [he]took his place and led the company bravely. Afterward [Don Alonso] took part in other engagements, and was wounded many times by arrows. [He] fought with the famous cacique Quispehuancha, unhorsed him, and then had him hanged on a tree."

Not only was Don Alonso a great soldier, but a great duelist also. In the eyes of some, Don Alonso was the greatest swordsman in all of New Spain. In a duel, Don Alonso could be counted on for a great display of swordsmanship.



A display that was all too often seen. As recounted such:

"On one occasion, while at the theatre, [Don Alonso] was annoyed by a man named Reyes, who threatened to disfigure [his] face, and on the following day went to the shop with the purpose of provoking [him]. When he left [he] got a knife, made it into a sort of saw, and, girding on [his] sword, went in search of Reyes . . . rushed upon him, and crying, "This is the face that is to be disfigured," tore his face with the rude weapon. A friend of Reyes then attacked . . . but . . . wounded him dangerously . . . "

"Reyes, with two others, followed and attacked . . . defended [himself] against all three, and killed one of them."

"was insulted in a gambling saloon by an officer, whom [he]wounded in the breast . . ."

"the ensign Don Juan Silva, who had asked [him] to be his second in a duel with Don Francisco Rojas. Silva being wounded and Rojas killed, [Don Alonso] fought with the second of the latter . . . " [killing the second of Don Rojas].

"accompanied by a soldier. On the way a gang of robbers, two of whom they killed, attacked them."

"had a dispute at the gaming table, and fought a duel with the cousin of the bishop, killing [his] adversary."

"had another duel, in which [he] killed [his] adversary . . ."

"the servant of the corregidor enraged [him] by throwing his hat in [his] face. [Don Alonso] stabbed him with [his] dagger, and he fell, mortally wounded."

"On one occasion, in a gambling saloon, . . . a Spaniard commonly known as the "Cid." He was repulsive and quarrelsome, but courageous. The "Cid" took his seat beside [him]. Twice he took from the table the money [he]had won; but on his making the third attempt [he] pinned his hand to the table with [his] poniard. The " Cid," with two of his friends, attacked . . . [he], battling with all three, . . . [he] fell, bleeding profusely. Faint from loss of blood, . . . staggered toward the " Cid," and thrust [his]sword through his body, killing him on the instant."

Like I said, perhaps the greatest swordsman in all of New Spain!

But wait, this is not the end.

Maybe some of you have already guessed where this is going.

Don Alonso Diaz Ramirez de Guzman was NOT A MAN.

Don Alonso was really A WOMAN posing as a man, and doing it successfully for at least twenty years and doing so under the harshest conditions possible.

This was Catalina de Eranso.

It was only after the battle with the "Cid" that true nature of Don Alonso's gender became known.

Rather than be scorned or burned at the stake, Catalina, not hiding now, became a great celebrity.

Pleading her case to the Pope himself, Catalina was given special dispensation by the Pope to dress the rest of her life as a man, for all the battles she had fought for "Christianity".

And that duel where Catalina fought as a second and killed her opponent [the second of Don Rojas]. Only after the fact did Catalina find out that she had killed her BROTHER, who did not recognize her. Such can be life!!!

To read full accounts of the life of Catalina de Eranso [Don Alonso], click here. And to read the full petition of Catalina to the Spanish King, click here.

coolbert.