Battle of Fraga facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Fraga
Part of the Reconquista
Alfonso I of Aragon the Battler.
Date 17 July 1134 Location Fraga, Spain Result Almoravid victory.
Belligerents
Kingdom of Aragon	Almoravid dynasty
Commanders and leaders
Alfonso I of Aragon  †	Ibn ‘Iyad Yahya ben Ghaniya
Strength
12,000(exaggerated)	2,700 knights

The Battle of Fraga was an important fight during the Reconquista in Spain. It happened on July 17, 1134, in a town called Fraga in Aragon. The battle was between the army of the Kingdom of Aragon, led by King Alfonso the Battler, and different groups of Almoravid forces. These Almoravid groups came to help Fraga, which King Alfonso I was trying to capture. The Almoravids won the battle. Sadly, King Alfonso I died not long after this defeat.

Why Did the Battle of Fraga Happen?

Since the late 1000s, Christian kings and counts in Spain wanted to take back lands held by Muslims. The kings of Aragón and the counts of Barcelona and Urgel were especially keen. They aimed for towns and forts along the Segre and Cinca Rivers. This area was important because it was active and prosperous. It also had direct access to the Mediterranean Sea. The main towns they wanted to capture were Lleida, Mequinenza, Fraga, and Tortosa.

What Happened During the Battle?

In July 1134, King Alfonso I of Aragon the Battler decided to attack Fraga. Muslims knew him as Ibn Rudmir or al-Farandji. He brought his army from Aragon to surround the town. The Almoravids reacted very quickly and strongly.

• The Emir (ruler) of Cordoba sent 2,000 knights.
• The Emir of Murcia and Valencia gathered 500 knights.
• The governor of Lleida added another 200 knights.

These forces joined together and marched to help Fraga.

On July 17, 1134, the Almoravid relief force arrived. It was led by Ibn ‘Iyad, the governor of Lérida. When the people inside Fraga saw the help arriving, they rushed out to join the fight. King Alfonso I still felt confident in his army. He gathered his troops to face the new threat.

His soldiers first fought against the cavalry (horseback soldiers) from Murcia, led by Yahya ben Ghaniya. The Almoravid cavalry was very strong. They badly defeated the Aragonese soldiers. Seeing this, the people from Fraga, many of whom were Arab, left the city. They attacked the Aragonese camp, stealing supplies and killing many soldiers. They took all the food and other provisions back into Fraga. At this point, the Emir of Cordoba launched a final attack with his cavalry. This attack broke the Christian army once more. King Alfonso I the Battler had lost most of his soldiers. He had no choice but to run away. He fled to Zaragoza and died on September 7, 1134.

Who Was Lost in the Battle?

The Aragonese army suffered greatly at Fraga. Many important people from Aragon were killed or captured. For example, Guy of Lescar fought for the Christians. He was captured by the Almoravids and put in prison in Balensiyya.

Besides King Alfonso I, several other important Aragonese knights died at Fraga:

• Aimery II of Narbonne
• Centula VI, who was the viscount of Béarn
• Bertrán de Risnel

See Also

• Alfonso I of Aragon
• Reconquista
• Almoravid dynasty

In Spanish: Batalla de Fraga para niños