Spanish Castle © Mark Wade

When the day appointed was come, Don Arias Gonzalo early in the morning armed his sons, and they armed him; and it was told him that Don Diego Ordonez was already in the lists.

Then he and his sons mounted their horses, and as they rode through the gates of their house, Dona Urraca, with a company of dames met them, and said to Don Arias, weeping, Remember now how my father, King Don Ferrando, left me to your care, and you swore between his hands that you would never forsake me; and lo! now you are forsaking me.

I beseech you remain with me, and go not to this battle; for there is reason enough why you should be excused, and not break the oath which you made unto my father.

And she took hold on him, and would not let him go, and made him be disarmed.

Then came many knights around him, to demand arms of him, and request that they might do battle in his stead; nevertheless he would give them to none.

And he called for his son Pedro Arias, who was a right brave knight, though but of green years, and who had greatly intreated his father before this, that he would suffer him to fight in his stead.

And Don Arias armed him compleatly with his own hands, and instructed him how to demean himself, and gave him his blessing with his right hand, and said unto him, that in such a point he went to save the people of Zamora, as when our Lord Jesus Christ came through the Virgin Mary, to save the people of this world, who were lost by our father Adam.

Then went they into the field, where Don Diego Ordonez was awaiting them, and Pedrarias entered the lists, and the judges placed them each in his place, and divided the sun between them, and went out, leaving them in the lists.