She also oversaw the repair of the bulwarks destroyed by the enemy artillery and helped her husband, a surgeon, to treat the sick.

This achievement is recorded in the Decades of Diogo de Couto, and in a magazine of 1842 it was described as follows:From the first siege of Diu, let us move on to the second.

This one, who was worthy of his person, the famous and enlightened Captain D. João Mascarenhas, in the time of the distinguished D. João de Castro, one of the greatest men, who with great credit and equal glory of Portugal, ruled the States of India) was certainly by the circumstances that came together much more formidable than the first.

For this reason a great company of women was formed, so that united one and another effort, masculine and feminine, could more strongly resist the fury of the enemies.

These, in such a way, will be in this memorable siege, that not only according to the repairs of the walls and bastions, but that, aiding the same Soldiers, to them it is due not to be surrendered that Fortress.