As portrayed by Raf Vallone in El Cid
| Diego Ordonez As portrayed by Raf Vallone in El Cid |
Enemy of the Cid, historically Lord of Pancorbo and Governor of Najera. He was an important figure at Alfonso’s court, but there is no historical documentation that confirms or excludes the blood feud between him and the Cid
The historical Garcia Ordonez was a son of Ordono Ordonez, who had been an alferez of Ferrando. His was a prominent family of the higher nobility, centered on the northeast of Castille, with interests in Pancorbo, along the pilgrim road leading from Miranda del Ebro. His brother-in-law was Alvar Diaz. Garcia would eventually become Count of Najera, but historical records show him to be seemingly exiled from the court from mid-1074 to 1080.
The historical Garcia Ordonez first emerges as signatory on three of the ten extant charters issued by Sancho during reign in 1065-1072. After the death of Sancho, Garcia Ordonez was one of the leading nobles signing the royal diploma accepting the accession of Alfonso to the throne of Castile (the others being Gonzalo Salvadorez, Diego Alvarez, Ordono Ordonez, Gonzalo Alvarez, Alvaro Gonzalez, Fan Fanez, Diego Gonzalez, Rodrigo Diaz, Vermudo Gutierrez, and Antonio Nunez).
Alfonso made Garcia alferez sometime after 10 November 1073, and he continued in the post until at least 24 June 1074. Thereafter he vanishes from court documents. There are two versions of the next few years.
In one, he remains at the court. In Menendez Pidal's version, Garcia signs the Cid's wedding contract on 10 July 1074. He is made Count of Najera in 1076. He leads an expedition against the Muslim kingdom of Seville in 1079, which is blocked by the Cid at Alfonso's orders.
In the other version, the Cid's wedding contract, based on internal evidence is suspect. It is either a fabrication or incorrectly dated, and should be placed in July of 1078, 1080, or 1081. The Count Garcia of Najera mentioned in records of 1077 is not Garcia Ordonez but Garcia Jimenez. In this version, Garcia Ordonez had been exiled to a Muslim kingdom in the south for some transgression against the king. His raid against Seville is seen as an extension of this activity, as is the Cid's blocking action on Alfonso's orders.
Whatever the truth, Garcia Ordonez is definitely back in the court with the title of Count of Najera on 8 May 1080. On this occasion Alfonso called a great curia to confirm his new marriage to Constance of Burgundy. The marriage was confirmed by Alfonso's two sisters, thirteen of the fourteen bishops of the realm, seventeen counts. Alfonso had placated Pope Gregory VII by implementing the Roman liturgy and replacing Robert of Cluny with Bernard at Sahagun. Alfonso seems to bringing a final resolution to his problems with his troublesome noble subjects at this curia. Garcia Ordonez was seemingly entrusted with securing Alfonso's border with Zaragoza. Perhaps not coincidentally, this is the last record of the Cid at court.
On 18 April 1081 Garcia Ordonez is now confirming charters together with the king, and Garcia's new wife. She is no less than Urraca, sister of the late king of Navarra, Sancho Garcia IV. By this time the Cid has been exiled from the court to the Muslim south. In these scant records there seems to be nothing to invalidate the poet's story of the death-grudge between Garcia Ordonez and the Cid. In this interpretation the Cid was on top, and Garcia Ordonez was exiled. Now Garcia is on the top, big time, married into royalty, and the Cid is exiled. In July 1081 Garcia's brother, Rodrigo was made royal alferez
Garcia continued as a prominent member of the court. From 1088 to 1091 he had reached his apogee, confirming 11 of 18 royal documents of the time. His brother Rodrigo was also present, signing five documents, but never was made a count.
Garcia Ordonez next appears in November 1096, leading one wing of an army attempting to break the siege of Huesca by Pedro of Aragon. The assistance of the Christian army to the Muslim King of Zaragoza was for naught; on 18 November Huesca fell, and Pedro made it the capital of his new enlarged kingdom.
Garcia Ordonez is again listed with the royal army at La Aguilera, near Aranda de Duero, on 19 May 1097. His role in the subsequent battles with Almoravides at Consuegra and Cuenca is unclear. However he survived and continued to play a prominent role. In the years before 1107 his signature is found on no fewer than 11 of 20 extant royal documents.
Garcia Ordonez ended his life of service to Alfonso at the massacre of Christian forces by the Almoravides at Ucles on 29 May 1108. This was a final battle by Alfonso against a renewed Islamist offensive. Over 3000 Christians were beheaded, including seven of the eight counts present leading their contingents. The one survivor was Alvar Fanez, who led the survivors to the north to set up a makeshift defense of the middle Tagus.
Upon this Count Don Garcia Ordonez arose and said, There is not a man in the world, Sir, who would counsel you to break the command of your father, and the vow which you made unto him.
The press of the battle was here; here died Gonzalo de Sies, a right valiant Portugueze, on the part of Don Garcia; but on Don Sancho's part the Count Don Nuno was sorely wounded and thrown from his horse; and Count Don Garcia Ordonez was made prisoner, and the banner of King Don Sancho was beaten down, and the King himself also.
Now there was a mortal enmity between my Cid and Count Garcia Ordonez, and in this year did my Cid gather together those of his table, and all his power, and entered into the lands of Logrono, and Navarre, and Calahorra, burning and spoiling the country before him.
And the mighty men of the land came to the Count Don Garcia, but come against my Cid that they dared not do, for they feared to do battle with him.
Now there was at this time war between Almocanis, King of Seville, and Almundafar, King of Granada, and with Almundafar were these men of Castille, the Count Don Garcia Ordonez, and Fortun Sanchez, the son-in-law of King Don Garcia of Navarre, and Lope Sanchez his brother, and Diego Perez, one of the best men of Castille; and they aided him all that they could, and went against the King of Seville, and when my Cid knew this it troubled him, and he sent unto them requiring them not to go against the King of Seville, nor to destroy his country, because he was King Don Alfonso's vassal; otherwise the King must defend him.
And Count Garcia Ordonez was taken prisoner, and Lope Sanchez, and Diego Perez, and many other knights, and of other men so many that they were out of number; and the dead were so many that no man could count them; and the spoils of the field were very great.
While he was at Alfaro, Count Garcia Ordonez and certain other Ricos-omes of Castille sent to say to him, that if he would tarry for them seven days, they would come and give him battle.
Now Abeniaf had no hope of succour save only from the King of Zaragoza, who had sent to bid him hold out; and he sent to him every night to tell him of the great misery there was in Valencia, and the King of Zaragoza returned for answer that King Don Alfonso had sent him a great body of horsemen with Garcia Ordonez, and would come himself after them; and he sent in this letter another letter written with his own hand, and which was to be shown to the good men of the town, privily; and he said therein, with great oaths to confirm it, that he would without fail come and deliver them, for it was a great grief to him to think what they endured, and that this was as great sorrow to him, as theirs could be.
But though this pleased the King it did not please Garcia Ordonez, and he said, It seemeth there is not a man left in the land of the Moors, that the Cid can thus do his pleasure! And the King said unto him, Hold thy peace, for in all things he serves me better than thou.
But albeit that all the others were well pleased, Count Don Garcia was not so; and he and ten of his lineage talked apart, and said that this which the Cid had done was to their shame, for they hated the Cid in their hearts.
Well pleased were all they who beheld this, save only Alvar Diez and Garcia Ordonez, for they did not love the Cid.
So when they saw that they must needs appear, they took counsel with the Count Don Garcia, the enemy of my Cid, who always wished him ill, and they went with the greatest company that they could assemble, thinking to dismay my Cid the Campeador.
And Count Garcia said to the King, I beseech your Grace, tell me, for whom that couch is spread beside your seat: for what dame is it made ready; will she come drest in the almexia...or with white alquinales on her head, or after what fashion will she be apparelled? Sir, a seat like that is fit for none but your Grace: give order to take it for yourself, or that it be removed.
And Count Garcia who was an angry man, wrapt his mantle under his arm, and would have struck Ferran Alfonso, saying, Let me get at the boy who dares me! And Ferran Alfonso laid hand upon his sword and came forward to meet him, saying, that if it were not for the King, he would punish him thereright for the folly which he had uttered.
And Count Don Garcia said they would talk concerning it; and the Infantes of Carrion talked apart with those who were on their side, and they thought that they were well off; for that the Cid would demand nothing more of them, but would leave the Cortes when he had recovered the swords.
Howbeit Count Don Garcia spake for them and said, Sir, this which the Cid demands back from them, it is true that he gave it, but they have expended it in your service; we hold therefore that they are not bound to make restitution of it, seeing how it hath been expended.
And he gathered up his cloak under his arm and went up to the eleven Counts who were against the Cid, to Count Garcia, and when he was nigh him he clenched his fist, and gave him a blow which brought him to the ground.
And Pero Bermudez rose and said to Count Garcia, Foul mouth, in which God hath put no truth, thou hast dared let thy tongue loose to speak of the Cid's beard.
And Count Don Remond armed the knights of the Cid, and instructed them how to do their devoir, and Count Garcia Ordonez helped arm the Infantes of Carrion and their uncle Suero Gonzalez, and they sent to ask the King his favour that he would give command that the swords Colada and Tizona should not be used in that combat.