Battle of Lobregal facts for kids

The Battle of Lobregal was an important fight that happened in March 1160. It was a big part of a power struggle between two powerful families in Spain: the Lara family and the Castro family. This fight started after King Sancho III of Castile died in 1158. His son, Alfonso VIII, was very young, so someone needed to rule for him.

The Lara family took control of the regency, which meant they were in charge while the young king grew up. This made the Castro family unhappy.

Why the Battle Happened

In early 1160, Fernando Rodríguez de Castro, a leader of the Castro family, was forced to leave Castile. He went to the court of Ferdinand II of León, the king of a nearby kingdom.

Soon after, Fernando returned with an army. He wanted to challenge the Lara family. According to a writer named Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada, Fernando's army won a major victory against the Lara family. The Lara forces were led by Nuño Pérez de Lara, whose brother Manrique was the young king's regent. The battle took place at a place called Lobregal, in an area known as the Tierra de Campos, near Villabrágima.

What Happened During the Battle

During the battle, Fernando's father-in-law, Osorio Martínez, sadly died fighting alongside the Lara family. Fernando's forces managed to capture Nuño Pérez de Lara and another leader named Rodrigo Gutiérrez. Rodrigo's brother, Álvaro Gutiérrez, also died on the battlefield.

The captured Lara leaders were set free a few days later. They promised Fernando they would return after burying Álvaro. Rodrigo quickly placed Álvaro in a special coffin, but he delayed the actual burial. He thought this meant he didn't have to go back to being a prisoner.

Nuño Pérez de Lara met Fernando at Dueñas with 600 knights. Fernando didn't try to capture him again because Nuño had so many knights with him. Nuño claimed he had kept his promise.

Some later stories incorrectly said that Manrique Pérez de Lara died at Lobregal. However, he actually died four years later in another battle.

What Happened After the Battle

Even though the Castro family won the Battle of Lobregal, they didn't immediately take control of young King Alfonso VIII from the Lara family. However, the victory did make their position stronger at the court of King Ferdinand II of León.

By July 11, 1160, both Fernando and his brother Álvaro were back in Castile. They signed an official document from King Alfonso VIII, along with the three Lara brothers and their uncle. This suggests that a peace agreement had been reached between the families.

The Castro brothers returned to the Leonese court by September. It seems that a general peace followed the Battle of Lobregal, as there are no records of more fighting in 1160. However, the rivalry wasn't completely over. In 1162, Ferdinand II of León took the city of Toledo from Castile. Then, in 1164, the Castro family defeated the Lara family again at the Battle of Huete.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de Lobregal para niños