History of Lisbon #8

Antónia Rodrigues, the Portuguese Amazon.

The History of Portugal is a formidable collection of legends. The epic of the Great Discoveries could not but result in tales where the imaginary blends with reality. Among the echoes of the past, the incredible destiny of Antónia Rodrigues, known as the "Terror of the Moors".

Daughter of Aveiro, daughter of bacalhoeiro.

Antónia Rodrigues was born on 31 March 1580 in a fishing neighbourhood in Aveiro. Her father Simão often went out to sea to fish for cod in Newfoundland. His mother, Leonor Dias, stayed at home to take care of the daily chores. As soon as Simão returned after long months of being away, the family grew.

The harshness of daily life, illnesses and misfortunes pushed Simão’s father into misery. Surrounded by children who had to be fed, he decided against himself to send young Antónia to Lisbon when she turned 12.

Antónia’s parents convinced her that she would find a better fate if she went to live with her older sister in the city of seven hills. With resignation, the young Rodrigues headed south. She was sad to lose her parents, but her emotions were soon swept away by a growing desire to discover new horizons.

Story of ANTÓNIA RODRIGUES, the Portuguese Amazon
A typical codfish ship from Aveiro !

Without forgery, I am a boy.

From the moment she arrived in the heart of the capital, Antónia Rodrigues showed her maturity, her nerve and her determination. She resisted the household chores that were due to her and the rules that were imposed on her gender. Impervious to her sister’s violent outbursts, young Antónia stoically faced the threats, and then the blows, of her enraged brother-in-law. For although she was young, she was already uncontrollable. She regularly ran away, playing cat and mouse with her hosts.

Little did they know that she liked to take refuge on the docks where the Empire’s ships were moored. Without fear, Antónia chatted with the young mosses she envied. Longing to be born a woman, she looked west towards the immensity of the ocean.

Her thirst for adventure was as great as her grief, so during the summer of St. Martin’s Day she devised a plan to twist the fate promised to her by her sister. So, with the utmost discretion, she sold her girlish clothes to buy a man’s outfit, which she carefully concealed. After scraping together a few pennies, Antónia set off one fine day to meet her dreams, in search of a ship that would take her on board.

Story of ANTÓNIA RODRIGUES, the Portuguese Amazon
Lisbon in the 16th century

Call it now... António !

António cuts his long black hair in a boyish style. Black as her shining eyes. A true Aveirense beauty ! Regular features, a dark complexion, white teeth and thin lips that betray her femininity. But a nerve that dispels all suspicion. Disguised as a young boy, she appeared before the Nossa Senhora do Socorro. Loaded with wheat, this caravel was soon to leave for Mazagan, Morocco. This ship protected by the Virgin of Help ? António saw it as a sign to set sail. She was presented to the captain. By dint of persuasion, tears and sacrifice, she was accepted on board. Her only remuneration was an awful soup. She was only 15 years old.

Who said women were bad luck ?

It is by braving the ocean that António will become emancipated. It could be called youthful recklessness, but António’s lightness carries her up the mast. Unafraid of death, she will ignore the storms, the low waves and the dark clouds. When the sailors shudder at the name Adamastor, António openly mocks the young cowards who piss in their trousers.

Mazagan is in sight ! This city is a marvel of the Portuguese Empire, an impregnable fortress that protects the Portuguese caravels from Moorish pirates. Constantly besieged by Saadian troops, Mazagan owes its survival to supplies from Lisbon.

Once there, the captain of the Nossa Senhora do Socorro admired this Aveiro sailor and wanted to keep her in his service. António refuses and, once she is on land, sets off in search of a new life.

Story of ANTÓNIA RODRIGUES, the Portuguese Amazon
The Portuguese city of Mazagan, now El Jadida

António in the land of the Moors.

When António offered herself as a simple soldier to the governor, the latter gladly accepted this new recruit. From then on, the Amazon, in her youthful clothes, showed herself to be fearless in battle and skilful in the use of weapons. So much so that in a short time she was given command of squads for missions outside the walls.

One evening, news came that the Moors were going to burn the fields around the city and threaten the annual harvest. António volunteered with the governor to take command of a troop and thwart the raid. She knew that glory awaited her at the end of this mission. She had an undeniable talent for leading men and, out of nowhere, she chased the men out of the desert who fled like cowards. Back in Mazagan, honours and triumph were in store for her. Knowing how to tame any fierce horse, she became an officer in the cavalry, performing one exploit after another. She became the terror of the Moors.

Story of ANTÓNIA RODRIGUES, the Portuguese Amazon

António, heartbreaker.

Educated, graceful and educated, António left the small fry and pushed open the doors of the palaces. At parties, she danced with the damsels, who quickly fell in love with such a handsome and legendary warrior ! António fuelled the wildest passions and allowed himself to be desired in order to conceal his true nature. Diogo de Mendonça’s daughter, Béatriz, fell ill because her heart was broken by António’s polite refusal.

The nobleman, fearing that his daughter would succumb, asked the governor of Mazagan for a favour. They agreed that the prestigious warrior would be kind enough to accept the marriage.

Drop the act, Antónia !

Summoned by the governor, Antonio heard the proposal. And the one who was considered to be the greatest warrior in the city, blushed, hesitated and then burst into tears. The governor was taken aback and asked for an explanation. Antónia apologised with all the humility of her origins, daughter of fishermen from Aveiro. She told her story and asked not to be punished.

The governor announced the news in the square. She was taken out into the streets and presented as a woman, receiving the praise of the people who called her « Knight of Aveiro ». Beautiful and intelligent, Antónia had no shortage of suitors. She married an officer and the ceremony was celebrated with great pomp and ceremony, with the presence of people of high rank. A son was born of this marriage.

When Antónia returned to Lisbon, she was 35 years old. What happened next ? It remains a complete mystery. What we do know is that she was praised by King Philip II, and some say that she even followed him to Madrid. Another world to explore, no doubt.

Portuguese noblewoman
Imagine Béatriz de Mendonça's face when she heard the news...
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