Martina Ibaibarriaga facts for kids

María Martina Ibaibarriaga Elorriaga (born January 26, 1788 – died June 6, 1849) was a brave Spanish leader during the Peninsular War. This war happened between 1807 and 1814. She led a group of fighters called guerrillas. People later told stories that she pretended to be a man and became a high-ranking officer in the army.

A street named after Martina Ibaibarriaga in Vitoria.

Martina Ibaibarriaga's Life Story

Early Life and Joining the Guerrillas

María Martina Ibaibarriaga Elorriaga was born in Berriz, Biscay, Spain. Her birthday was January 26, 1788.

In 1810, during the Peninsular War, French soldiers arrested Martina's family in Durango, Biscay. They found out that Martina had joined a group of guerrilla fighters. She was even dressed as a man at the time. She joined the group led by a guerrilla named Belard.

Leading Her Own Group

By the next year, 1811, Martina Ibaibarriaga was leading her own group of 50 men. However, local towns complained that her fighters were taking food and supplies without paying. Because of these complaints, other guerrilla leaders decided to act.

On July 3, 1811, famous guerrilla leaders like Francisco Espoz y Mina captured Martina in Munguía, Biscay. They took her to a meeting of guerrilla chiefs in Villarcayo, Burgos. Eight of her men were punished, but Martina was allowed to live.

Serving Under Longa and Marriage

Martina Ibaibarriaga was allowed to continue fighting in the war. She joined the División de Iberia, which was a guerrilla force led by Francisco de Longa.

In early 1812, she met Lieutenant Félix Asenjo from Oña, Burgos. He was sent by the Spanish government to train new guerrilla fighters. Martina and Félix got married in March 1812.

After the War

Martina fought in the important Battle of Vitoria on June 21, 1813. After the war ended, she left the army. She and her husband moved to Oña, where their son, Francisco Asenjo Ibaibarriaga, was born.

Martina was later given the honorary title of captain by Ferdinand VII of Spain. In 1825, she started receiving a special payment from the government. She passed away in Oña on June 6, 1849.

In December 1977, a street in Vitoria was named after her. It is called "Coronela Ibaibarriaga," though this name is not entirely accurate to her real rank.

The Legend of Martina Ibaibarriaga

How the Stories Began

Many of the popular stories about Martina de Ibaibarriaga are not completely true. These stories often come from a fictional tale written by her grandson, Ricardo Blanco Asenjo. He wrote this story in a newspaper called El Imparcial on May 7, 1883.

Untrue Parts of the Legend

The legend says that her father and brother, who owned a pharmacy, were killed by the French in 1808. This part of the story was likely added later to make it more dramatic.

It is also not true that she dressed up as a man and used the name "Manuel Martinez." The legend also says that her true identity was discovered during the siege of Zaragoza. In reality, Martina joined the guerrillas without hiding that she was a woman. Other women also fought openly during this time.

What the Legend Claims

The legend claims that Martina Ibaibarriaga joined the Spanish army disguised as a man. It says she used the name "Manuel Martínez." According to the legend, she was the only woman in the Peninsular War to serve as a man.

The story also says she was badly hurt during the Second Siege of Zaragoza in 1809, and that's how her real identity was found out. The legend also states she fought in several battles, including the Battle of Vitoria. It even says she caught the attention of General Wellington and became a lieutenant colonel.

After the war, the legend says she married Lieutenant Félix Asenjo and they had many children. While she did marry Félix Asenjo and have a son, many other parts of the legend are not factual.

See also

In Spanish: Martina Ibaibarriaga para niños