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In 1369, in the midst of the Fernandine Wars between Portugal and Castile, the small border town of Monção was surrounded by a vastly superior Castilian army. Supplies in the Portuguese castle were dwindling, morale was plummeting, and everyone knew: they would not survive a prolonged siege. In this situation, Deu-la-Deu Martins, the captain's wife, effectively took command. And she refused to surrender without a fight. She knew that brute force would not save them. So, she relied on something else: a bluff, so audacious that it had to work. She had the last remaining flour baked into fresh bread, carried it up to the battlements, and threw it at the feet of the besiegers. Reportedly, she taunted them mockingly, as if the city had so much food that they could afford to waste it. The message was clear: We are not at the end. We will endure. The Castilians took the bait. Convinced that Monção was still well-supplied, they feared a long and expensive siege – and withdrew. The defenders survived not because they had more, but because they had the courage to claim the opposite. This daring trick became one of the most famous Portuguese war stories: wit against overwhelming force. To this day, it shapes the identity of the city. Deu-la-Deu Martins is considered a folk hero, her name is found on streets and monuments – and even on the coat of arms of Monção, where she is depicted with a loaf of bread.