Order of the Hatchet facts for kids
The Order of the Hatchet (also called Orde de l'Atxa in Catalan or Orden del Hacha in Spanish) was a special award given to women. It was supposedly started in 1149 in the town of Tortosa, located in Catalonia, Spain.
This unique order was created to honor brave women. They fought during a time called the Reconquista. This was when Christian kingdoms in Spain were trying to take back land from Muslim rule. In 1149, the city of Tortosa was under attack. Many men had left, so the women of the city stepped up.
They dressed like men and fought with whatever they could find, including hatchets. Their bravery helped defend the city. Because of their important role, Count Ramon Berenguer created the Order of the Hatchet. This order gave these women special rights and tax breaks. It was not a military order, but it was one of the few awards specifically for women.
How the Order of the Hatchet Began
The city of Tortosa in northeastern Spain was once controlled by Islamic Moors. In 1148, Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Barcelona, led his forces to capture the city. After taking Tortosa, the crusading armies moved on to other areas. This left Tortosa open to a counter-attack in 1149.
Moorish armies returned and tried to take the city back. However, they found Tortosa well-defended. The women of the town put on men's clothes. They fought bravely with any weapon they could grab, including hatchets. Count Berenguer was very impressed by their strong defense. Because of their courage, he created the Order of the Hatchet. He then gave this special honor to the women who had fought.
Special Rights and Benefits
The women who were part of the Order of the Hatchet received many special rights. They were even called "Cavalleros" or "Knights," which was unusual for women at that time.
One important benefit was that they did not have to pay any taxes. This was a huge advantage for them. Also, in public meetings in Tortosa, these women were given a higher place than men. This showed how much they were respected.
Another special right was about their property. If their husbands died, the women in the Order were allowed to keep all their clothes and jewels. This was true even if these items were very valuable. This rule helped ensure their financial security.
The Order's End
The Order of the Hatchet was very exclusive. No new members were ever allowed to join after it was first created. It is believed that the order simply ended when the last woman who was a member passed away.
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See also
In Spanish: Orden del Hacha para niños
- Spanish military orders
