Siege of Coria (1142) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Siege of Coria |
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| Part of the Reconquista | |||||||
 A gate at Coria dating from the Muslim period (original construction Roman) |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Kingdom of León–Castile | Almoravid Empire | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Alfonso VII of León and Castile | unknown | ||||||
The Siege of Coria in 1142 was an important battle during the Reconquista. This was a long period when Christian kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula tried to take back land from Muslim rule. The battle took place in Coria, Cáceres, a town in what is now Spain.
The Christian forces were led by Alfonso VII of León and Castile, who was known as the Emperor. They fought against the Almoravid Empire, a Muslim group from North Africa. Alfonso VII's army successfully captured Coria in June 1142. This victory was a big step in his efforts to expand Christian control.
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Why Coria Was Important
Coria was a key town because of its location. It had been captured by Christians before, in 1079, by Alfonso VI of León. However, it was lost to the Almoravids around 1109.
Alfonso VII had tried to take Coria once before, in 1138. That attempt failed, and his general, Rodrigo Martínez, was killed. The successful siege in 1142 showed Alfonso VII's strong determination. It also marked the start of many more military actions by the Emperor in al-Andalus, which was the Muslim-controlled part of the Iberian Peninsula.
How the Siege Happened
The main story of the siege comes from an old book called the Chronica Adefonsi imperatoris. This book says the siege started about two and a half years after another important battle, the Siege of Oreja.
When Alfonso's army arrived, the people of Coria, both the Almoravids and local Muslims, quickly made their defenses stronger. They built thick walls to block the city gates.
Using Siege Machines
Alfonso's army used powerful tools called siege engines. These were machines designed to attack walled cities. They had used them in the earlier attempt in 1138, but they were much more effective in 1142.
The book describes how Alfonso ordered his engineers to build a tall wooden tower. This tower was taller than the city walls. They also used catapults and other machines to break down the walls and towers of Coria.
Running Out of Food
As the siege continued, the people inside Coria began to run out of food. This led to a severe famine. On June 6, while the siege was still going on, Alfonso made an important decision. He gave the village of Fradejas to the Church of Zamora. Important leaders like Ponce Giraldo de Cabrera and Ponce de Minerva were with him at the siege.
As more people died from hunger, the Almoravids offered Alfonso a deal. They said they would surrender the city if they did not get help from other Muslim rulers within 30 days. They sent messages asking for help, but no one could come to their aid. Because of this, the Almoravid soldiers peacefully gave up the city.
After the Battle
After Coria was captured, a new bishop named Íñigo Navarro was chosen for the city. This helped to re-establish Christian rule and organization in the area.
Alfonso then traveled north to Salamanca. There, he met with a famous abbot named Peter the Venerable. The capture of Coria was a significant victory that helped Alfonso VII strengthen his kingdom.
See also
In Spanish: Sitio de Coria (1142) para niños
