The siege of Monção was a military confrontation between the Kingdom of Portugal and the Crown of Castile during the Fernandine Wars.
Background During the Fernandine Wars, the Kingdom of Portugal faced a series of military threats. Monção became a target for Castilian forces. Led by Pedro Rodrigues Sarmento, the Castilians laid siege to the town, intending to force its surrender through starvation rather than direct confrontation. The defenders, accompanied with Deu-la-Deu Martins, the wife of the town's captain-major, Vasco Gomes de Abreu, faced a decrease of supplies and an increasingly desperate situation.
Siege The siege dragged on, and food in Monção was decreasing. Deu-la-Deu Martins then took charge, using the remaining flour, she baked a small number of bread and ascended the town's walls. From there, she threw the bread toward the enemy shouting:
This action made the Castilian forces believe that Monção was abundant in supplies, and, already tired, they lifted the siege.
Aftermath The retreat of the Castilian army saved Monção from falling into enemy hands.
In Monção, an image of her appears on the town's coat of arms, which also has the phrase "God gave it, God has given it", apparently in acknowledgement of what Martins told the Castilians.
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