Diego Rodríguez Porcelos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Diego Rodríguez Porcelos |
|
|---|---|
| 2nd Count of Castile | |
 |
|
| Statue of Count Diego Rodríguez Porcelos in Arco de Santa María, Burgos | |
| Predecessor | Rodrigo of Castile |
| Father | Rodrigo of Castile |
| Died | 885? Cornudilla |
| Burial | San Felices hermitage, Villafranca Montes de Oca |
Diego Rodríguez Porcelos was an important leader in early Castile. He was the second Count of Castile, taking over from his father, Rodrigo. He helped expand and protect the region during a time of conflict.
Diego ruled from about 873 until around 885. Unlike his father, he did not govern the region of Álava. That responsibility went to another leader, Count Vela Jiménez. Between 882 and 884, King Alfonso III of Asturias gave Diego an important task. He was in charge of the repoblación, which means bringing new people to settle and rebuild the areas of Burgos and Ubierna.
Around 882, Diego built a strong castle in Pancorbo. From this castle, he defended the region against large Arab armies. These armies tried to take control of the Ebro River valley in 882 and 883. Diego also created a defensive line along the Arlanzón River. In 884, he founded a new outpost that later grew into the important city of Burgos. It also seems he helped bring back the church leadership in Oca, an ancient town.
Historians are not completely sure about the exact date and place of Diego's death. However, most believe he died in 885. An old record, the Chronica Naierensis, says he was killed in Cornudilla on January 31st, 885. This likely happened during a battle against Muslim troops. His body was probably buried in the hermitage of San Felices de Oca, which is now Villafranca Montes de Oca. After his death, Castile was divided into many smaller counties. This lasted until 932.
His Children
We do not know the name of the mother of Diego's children. They were likely very young when he passed away. His children were:
- Gómez Díaz: He should not be confused with another person named Gómez Díaz, who was a count in Saldaña. This Gómez Díaz appears in records from 932 as the alférez (a military officer) for Count Fernán González. Fernán González's oldest son, Gonzalo Fernández, married Fronilde Gómez, who might have been a daughter of this Gómez Díaz.
- Gonzalo Díaz: On February 3, 921, Gonzalo Díaz and his wife María gave some watermills on the Arlanzón River to the Monastery of San Pedro de Cardeña. In this document, he stated that he was the son of Count Diego.
- Fernando Díaz: He became a count in the regions of Lantarón and Cerezo.
Monuments in His Memory
.JPG)
In the city of Burgos, there is a special statue honoring Diego Rodríguez Porcelos. It is an equestrian statue, meaning it shows him riding a horse. This statue was made in 1983 by the sculptor Juan de Ávalos. It is located in a roundabout near the Museum of Human Evolution. You can also see a statue of him from the 1500s in the Arco de Santa María, also in Burgos.
See also
In Spanish: Diego Rodríguez Porcelos para niños
