Juana Coello facts for kids

Juana Coello (born in Madrid in 1548 – died sometime after 1613) was a brave woman from Spain. She was married to Antonio Pérez, who was an important helper to King Philip II of Spain. Juana is remembered for helping her husband escape from prison.

Early Life and Marriage

Juana Coello grew up in Madrid, the capital of Spain. She received a good education, which was not common for all women at that time. In 1567, she married Antonio Pérez. Antonio Pérez was a very important person in the government. He worked closely with King Philip II as his Secretary of State. This meant he helped the king with important decisions and managed many affairs of the country.

Helping Her Husband Escape

Antonio Pérez later faced serious problems and was put in prison. Juana Coello showed great courage during this difficult time. She visited her husband in his prison cell. During one of these visits, she secretly gave him her clothes. This allowed Antonio Pérez to disguise himself and escape from prison.

After her husband escaped, Juana Coello was left behind. She was then locked up in the same dungeon her husband had been in. This shows how much she risked to help him.

In 1585, Antonio Pérez traveled to Portugal. Juana Coello and her seven children were also moved. However, she was soon arrested again in Madrid, along with all her children. They were first held in a public jail. Later, they were moved to a strong fortress. Juana Coello remained imprisoned there until April 1599. By this time, King Philip II had passed away. Sadly, her children also remained in prison for a while longer.

Later Years

Not much is known about Juana Coello's life after 1599. Some historians believe she went to Paris, France, to be with her husband. They say she might have lived in difficult conditions and passed away around 1602.

Other accounts suggest that in 1613, Juana Coello worked to clear her children's names. She wanted them to be officially recognized as innocent. A special court in Zaragoza, Spain, agreed to this two years later. This would have been a great relief for her and her family.

See also

In Spanish: Juana Coello para niños