© Mark Wade
| Monzon © Mark Wade |
Town, 43 km from Valladolid. A town founded by the Basques in pre-Roman times and later a major Roman city. There are numerous Romanesque buildings dating to the Cid's time, including the Church of San Miguel, in which he and Ximena were married.
Additional sites from the time of the Campeador are the Cathedral, with 11th Century Romanesque and 7th Century Visigothic elements and the Visigothic Church of San Juan Bautista, 12 km from town. Palencia was the site of the first Spanish university, founded by Alfonso VIII in the 12th Century. Latitude: 42.03. Longitude: -4.54.
The King held it good to accomplish her desire; and forthwith ordered letters to be drawn up to Rodrigo of Bivar, wherein he enjoined and commanded him that he should come incontinently to Palencia, for he had much to communicate to him, upon an affair which was greatly to God's service, and his own welfare and great honour.
And he dight himself full gallantly and well, and took with him many knights, both his own and of his kindred and of his friends, and he took also many new arms, and came to Palencia to the King with two hundred of his peers in arms, in festival guise; and the King went out to meet him, and received him right well, and did him honour; and at this were all the Counts displeased.
And he sent for the Bishop of Palencia, and took their vows and made them plight themselves each to the other according as the law directs.
The chief counsellor of King Don Alfonso was Don Pero Ansures, a notable and valiant knight, of the old and famous stock of the Ansures, Lords of Monzon, which is nigh unto Palencia; the same who in process of time was Count of Carrion and of Saldana and Liebana, and Lord of Valladolid, a city which was by him greatly increased.
Alvar Fanez and Martin Antolinez went their way, and they found the King in the city of Palencia.
And when they saw this they went their way to King Don Alfonso who was at Palencia, and they came before him and kissed his hands, and then with sorrowful hearts told him of the evil which had befallen the Cid, in this dishonour done unto his daughters by the Infantes of Carrion.