Order of Calatrava

A study of medieval warrior monks at the castle of Zorita de los Canes has revealed their lavish diet and violent death, including the unexpected discovery of a female warrior among them, expanding our understanding of gender roles in historical military orders. A skull found at the archaeological site of Zorita de los Canes. Credit: Crema Risk, URV

Were women also knights? Archaeologists have made an unexpected discovery in the burials of warrior monks from the Middle Ages

Of the 25 skeletons studied, 23 showed signs consistent with a violent death. By studying the proportions of the bones, she realized that among the warriors was a woman.