María de Ximildegui facts for kids
María de Ximildegui (born around 1588 – died after November 1, 1610) was a Spanish woman who was accused of being a witch. She was one of the many people involved in the Basque witch trials, which happened between 1609 and 1614. María played an important part in how these trials developed.
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Early Life and Accusations
María de Ximildegui was born in a place called Zugarramurdi in Spain. When she was about 16 years old, in 1604, she moved across the border to France. There, she worked as a maidservant, helping with household chores.
In 1608, María moved back to Zugarramurdi. At this time, many stories about witchcraft were spreading. This was because of the Labourd witch trials happening nearby in France. María claimed that while she was in France, another maidservant had taught her about witchcraft. She said she had continued to attend secret meetings, which people called "witches' sabbaths," in the caves of Navarre, Spain.
María later said she was sorry for being involved in these activities. She also named other people who she claimed were involved. This led to a big investigation into witchcraft by a powerful group called the Spanish Inquisition.
The Spanish Inquisition's Investigation
In 1609, María de Ximildegui was arrested by a person from the Inquisition named Valle Alvarado. She was accused of witchcraft and of taking part in the witches' sabbaths in Zugarramurdi. The Spanish Inquisition then questioned her in a city called Logroño.
Outcome of the Trials
During the Basque witch trials, about 7,000 people were accused of witchcraft. However, only six of them were eventually put to death. These six people were condemned because they kept refusing to admit their guilt, say they were sorry, or ask for forgiveness, even after many people accused them.
María de Ximildegui was not among those who were put to death. This was because she admitted to the accusations, said she was sorry, and asked for forgiveness. Because she did this, she was given mercy, which was a common practice at the time.
So, María was not one of the people executed in the public ceremony called an autodafé in Logroño on November 1, 1610. She was pardoned and set free. What happened to her after 1610 is not known.
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