Siege of Lleida (1123)

Siege of Lleida (1123)
Part of the Reconquista

Gardeny Castle, which was built by Alfosno the battler to besiege Lleida.
DateFebruary – May 1123
Location
Lleida
Result Almoravid victory
Belligerents
Almoravid dynasty
County of Barcelona
Duchy of Aquitaine		 Kingdom of Aragon
Commanders and leaders
Abu Hilal
Ramon Berenguer III, Count of Barcelona
William IX, Duke of Aquitaine		 Alfonso the Battler
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknwon

The siege of Lleida took place in 1123 in a Christian effort to recapture territories from Muslim control in the Iberian Peninsula. This siege was led by Alfonso the Battler against the Almoravid-controlled city of Lleida.

Background

Following the loss of Zaragoza in 1118, the city of Lleida was under threat by Alfonso the Battler. For unknown reasons, Ramon Berenguer III, Count of Barcelona, established an alliance with the governor of Lleida, Abu Hilal. Ramon acted as the defender against any attack by Alfonso. Abu Hilal would cede castles to Ramon in exchange for help against his own enemies and would pay tribute to Ramon.[1] After securing western borders with the Leonese kingdom, the Aragonese king, Alfonso the Battler, made preparations against Lleida.[2]

Siege

In February 1123, the Aragonese king marched to Lleida. The conquest of Lleida could reestablish an alliance with the County of Urgell. Alfosno constructed a castle called Gardeny on a hill above the city. The Aragonese forces used the castle they built to blockade the city, cutting off the supplies that were delivered through the Segre River, and trap its inhabitants. However, this strategy faced obstacles as the Almoravid garrison showed strong resistance. Relive forces led by Ramon Berenguer III, Count of Barcelona, and William IX, Duke of Aquitaine, arrvied. Alfonso engaged in a battle or a tournament with Ramon and William, which ended in Alfonso raising the siege in May 1123.[3][4][5]

References

  1. ^ Thomas W. Barton, p. 60–61
  2. ^ Clay Stalls, p. 47
  3. ^ Thomas W. Barton, p. 62
  4. ^ Clay Stalls, p. 47
  5. ^ José Luis Orella Unzué, p. 104-105

Sources

  • Clay Stalls (2022), Possessing the Land, Aragon's Expansion Into Islam's Ebro Frontier Under Alfonso the Battler (1104–1134).[1]
  • Thomas W. Barton (2019), Victory's Shadow, Conquest and Governance in Medieval Catalonia.[2]
  • José Luis Orella Unzué (1995), Historia de Euskal Herria: Los vascos de ayer.[3]