Miquelet (militia) facts for kids
The Miquelets (pronounced mee-kah-LETS) were special groups of soldiers from the mountains of Catalonia and Valencia in Spain. They were not part of the regular army. These light troops were very important in wars fought in the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) during the 1600s and 1700s. Sometimes, when there was no war, they were known to take things from travelers.
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Who Were the Miquelets?
The name "Miquelets" comes from "Michael." Some people say it was named after Miquel or Miquelot de Prats, a Catalan captain who worked for Cesare Borgia. This name was used for many different groups of Catalans who picked up weapons during wars. They also sometimes acted like outlaws.
The Miquelets were supported by local villages, not by the main government. When the village alarm bell (called a someten) rang, they had to be ready for duty. Because of this, they were often called sometents.
Miquelets in Famous Wars
The Miquelets were very active during the Catalan revolt of 1640. This war was also known as the "War of the Reapers."
During the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714), most Miquelets fought for the side that supported Austria. In 1713, they became part of the Army of Catalonia. They kept fighting against the French ruler Philip V even after the war officially ended.
Later, during the Peninsular War, the Miquelets caused a lot of trouble for the French army in the mountains of Catalonia. They even joined bigger battles, like the Siege of Girona in 1809. They also helped in other fights around Girona in 1808 and 1809.
The name "Miquelet" was used by Catalan soldiers on both sides of these wars. For example, the French army also had Catalan troops in 1689 during the Revolt of the Barretines. They also had them in 1808 during the Peninsular War.
Miquelets in the Americas
Miquelet groups also became part of the Spanish army and fought in other parts of the Spanish Empire, far from Spain. In 1769, Miquelet soldiers went with Fray Junipero Serra to set up Catholic missions along the coast of California.
The First Free Company of Volunteers of Catalonia was made up of Catalan Miquelets. This company was sent to New Spain (which is now Mexico). From there, they played a key role in Spain's exploration of the Pacific Northwest. They built Fort San Miguel, the first European settlement in British Columbia, between 1790 and 1792. Their captain, Pere d'Alberní i Teixidor, received military awards. He even became the temporary governor of California in 1800.
Miquelet Police in the Basque Region
In the Basque Country, the police forces of the local governments of Biscay (from 1784 to 1877) and Gipuzkoa (from 1796 to 1936) were also known as Miqueletes. Similar police groups in Álava and Navarre were called Miñones and Policía foral. These groups continued to exist even after the Spanish Civil War.
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