The Taking of Castrojeriz, Herrera and Castrillo; the Expulsion of the Aragonese from Castile

 

In May of 1169 of the Spanish Era (1207 A.D.), the King went to do battle against the town of Castrojeriz. Oriol Garcés, an outstanding knight of the King of Aragón, was inside the fortress there. There were many knights and infantrymen with him, for he had been waging war throughout a large part of Castile. Alfonso surrounded the fortress with a large wall and with a rampart. No one could enter or come out. Those on the inside were suffering intensely from hunger and thirst. Consequently, they requested a truce with the King. They also sent messengers to their master, the King of Aragón. They were to ask him to come and rescue them from the Leonese King. But he did not dare come, nor did he dare set foot in Castile.

Oriol Garcés and his companions understood that they could place no hope in Alfonso I of Aragón. Many of them were dying of starvation. Six months had already passed since they had first been besieged. It was then the month of October, which is the sixth month reckoned from May. Oriol sought peace and asked for the King's right hand for himself and for his men. He in turn offered the King of León his own hand as a gesture of peace. But Alfonso drove them out of the fortress and stationed a garrison there.

Other castles in the area were also delivered to the King. These were, namely, Herrera and Castrillo. He forced all the foreigners out of them and even out of Castile. In this way a state of prosperity and peace was established throughout his kingdom. All of the citizens began to build homes and plant vineyards and trees. They began to repopulate all the land which the King of Aragón had devastated. Since the time of King Alfonso VI, the King's grandfather, there had not been such joy in the kingdom.

 

The Vassalage of King Zafadola

 

At that time there was a certain Spanish Moslem King living in Rota. His name was Zafadola, and he was a descendant of one of the most noble families of the Spanish Moslem rulers. He had heard much about the exploits of Alfonso in his struggle against the King of Aragón. He had been informed of how our King had confronted him, how the Aragonese monarch had sworn to restore his kingdom to him, and how he had lied and become a perjurer. When King Zafadola had gathered all of this information, he called his entire family together. Included in this group were his children, his wives, his constables, his governors, and all his nobles. He said to them; "Do you know of the great deeds of Alfonso, the King of León, against the Aragonese ruler and against his rebels?" They replied that they had heard of them. Zafadola continued: "What course shall we take? How long shall we remain confined here?" They had, in fact, hidden themselves for fear of the Almoravides who had killed all of the descendants of the Spanish Moslems and had taken their kingdom from them. King Zafadola himself was in Rota confined there with some of his people who had fled to him. He told them: "Hear my plan. Let us go to the King of León, and let us make him our King and master and our friend. I know that he will be lord over all the Moors, because God is his Deliverer and his Helper. I know, indeed, that through him my sons and I will recover the honors which the Almoravides robbed from me, from my ancestors, and, from my people".

His nobles answered unanimously: "This is an excellent plan. Your idea seems sound to all of us". In the meantime, King Zafadola sent ambassadors to the King of León with this message: "Lend me some of your nobles with whom I may come to you in safety". Alfonso was very happy to hear this, and he quickly sent Count Rodrigo Martínez and Gutier Fernández to Zafadola. The latter noble was one of the King's counselors. When they arrived in Rota they were received honorably by King Zafadola. He presented them with magnificent gifts, and then he traveled to the King of León accompanied by them. Alfonso welcomed him, and honored him by making him sit at his side on the royal throne. He expressly ordered that Zafadola should not be allowed to give anything in return for his food. When the Moorish nobles witnessed all this, they were amazed and, said to each other: "Who among the kings is like the King of León?"

King Zafadola saw the wisdom and the wealth of Alfonso VII. He likewise saw the great peace that reigned in his palace and in all his kingdom. He then said to the Christian ruler: "What I have heard in Rota regarding your wisdom, your clemency, the peace in your kingdom and, your wealth is indeed true. Blessed are your men, blessed are your counselors who live here with you and who are in your kingdom". He gave the King a magnificent gift of very precious stones. He and his sons became Alfonso's knights and promised to serve him all the days of their lives. They gave him the city of Rota, which the King entrusted to his own son, Sancho the Castilian. Then Rota was populated with Christians, and they began to invoke the name of the Blessed Trinity in the city, and especially the Holy Spirit. No one living at that time ever conceived that the Name of the Lord would be mentioned publicly in Rota. The King of León also gave Zafadola fortresses and cities. These were in the region of Toledo, in Extremadura and along the Duero River. Zafadola came and lived there, and served Alfonso all the days of his life.

 

The Rebellion of Gonzalo Peláez; Relations with Doña Guntroda

 

In 1170 of the Spanish Era (1208 A.D.), King Alfonso ordered his nobles to assemble with their forces on a certain day in Atienza. When they had gathered, the King learned that the Asturian, Count Gonzalo Peláez, had agreed to rebel with his kinsman, Rodrigo Gómez. Alfonso seized the latter, and he stripped him of his honor and sent him away. But Gonzalo Peláez fled, and all his knights were captured. The King pursued him into Asturias and ordered that his knight be kept under guard at the rear. He found the Count in Tudela and attacked him there. First of all, the King's forces captured the castle at Gozón and the ones around it.

When Count Gonzalo became aware that his troops had been captured by Alfonso, he instantly sought a treaty with him. The terms were the following: for one year they would be under a mutual covenant of peace. The King would not wage war against the Count, nor would Gonzalo plunder Alfonso's lands. He delivered the city of Tudela and other castles over to the King. Nonetheless, the Count continued to rebel in Proaza, Buanga and in Alba de Quirós. These were all very strong fortresses.

While this was taking place, the King brought to his side a certain concubine whose name was Guntroda. She was the daughter of Pedro Díaz and María Ordóñez. She was extremely beautiful and belonged to the highest Asturian nobility. The King had a daughter by her whom he named Urraca. She was entrusted to Alfonso's sister, Princess Sancha, to be weaned and educated.