María de Ximildegui facts for kids

María de Ximildegui was a Spanish woman who lived a long time ago, around the late 1500s and early 1600s. She was involved in a big event called the Basque witch trials that happened in Spain between 1609 and 1614. These trials were a time when many people were accused of practicing witchcraft.

Early Life and Moving Around

María de Ximildegui was born in a place called Zugarramurdi in Spain, around the year 1588. When she was about 16 years old, in 1604, she moved across the border to France. She worked there as a maidservant, helping with household chores.

Returning to Spain

In 1608, María moved back to her hometown of Zugarramurdi in Spain. At this time, there were many stories and rumors about witchcraft. This was because of similar trials happening nearby in France, called the Labord witch trials.

The Witchcraft Accusations

María de Ximildegui claimed that while she was in France, another maidservant had taught her about witchcraft. She said she continued to attend secret meetings in Spain, which people believed were witches' gatherings. These meetings supposedly took place in the caves of Navarre.

Investigation by the Inquisition

María said she was sorry for her actions and pointed out other people she believed were involved. Because of her claims, the Spanish Inquisition started an investigation into witchcraft in the area. The Spanish Inquisition was a powerful group that investigated people accused of not following religious rules.

The Trial and Outcome

In 1609, María de Ximildegui was arrested by an investigator named Valle Alvarado. She was accused of witchcraft and of taking part in the witches' gatherings in Zugarramurdi. Her case was looked into by the Spanish Inquisition in a city called Logroño.

How the Trials Ended

During the Basque witch trials, about 7,000 people were accused. However, only a small number, just six people, were eventually put to death. These six people were executed because they refused to admit they were wrong or ask for forgiveness, even after many people accused them.

María de Ximildegui was not among those who were executed. She confessed to what she was accused of, said she was sorry, and asked for mercy. Because she did this, she was pardoned and set free, which was a common practice at the time.

Life After the Trials

María de Ximildegui was not executed in the public ceremony called an autodafé that happened in Logroño on November 1, 1610. She was one of the people who were forgiven and released. What happened to her after 1610 is not known.

See also

In Spanish: María de Ximildegui para niños