Book I: Ramon Berenguer de Barcelona
Chapter IX: All in the family
Zaragoza - Februari 4, 1074
It had been a while since Pedro Berenguer had seen his father, the Duke Ramon Berenguer. Ever since the end of the war almost two years ago his father had taken residence in the newly conquered Zaragoza. Pedro immediately noticed the obvious Moorish character of the city, when he heard the Moorish call for prayer. Even if some of the largest Mosques had been converted to churches, the Duke had allowed the Moors in the city their creed, if they argeed to swear fealty to him. The pragmatic Pedro saw the wisdom of this move, denying the Moors the right to worship would mean trouble.
However, Pedro was not here for sightseeing. His father had called the most important nobles of the county to Zaragoza. Pedro knew his father would only call them for one reason only, to continue the reconquista of Iberia.
Pedro was greeted at the Aljafería, the former palace of the Emir, by his father himself. Their relation had been rocky, especially after his father divorcing his mother to marry that French witch Almodis.
Contemporary photo of the Aljafería, the palace used by the Duke of Barcelona
“Pedro, welcome to Zaragoza.”
“Greetings father, I came as fast I could.”
“And I thank you for it. You probably know why I asked you to come.”
“I guess so father. With the Emirs of Toledo and Badajoz tearing eachother apart, we have a chance to finish of Zaragoza.”
“Indeed Pedro, especially with the Jimenids distracted for the moment. Sancho of Navarre has conquered Aragon, claiming himsellf king of both, reducing the king of Aragon to count of Jaca. His cousin Sancho of Castille has been a paranoid wreck after El Cid tried to assasinate him. He distrusts both his brother Alfonso and Sancho of Navarre-Aragon.”
“Speaking of the Cid, is it true the Emir of Zaragoza employs him now?”
“Aye, the infidel harbours the traitor ever since his escape from Burgos. He is the only reason Zaragoza still is an independent Emirate. But that’s why I have summoned you here Pedro. Only the victor of Lleira would stand a chance against him.”
Pedro didn’t know what to thing of these words. Was his father trying to flatter him? No matter what, as Alférez of Barcelona he would beat anyone for the Duchy. Even if it was the legendary Cid.
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Who's who in Barcelona?
Besides Pedro, Duke Ramon Berenguer had twin sons with his second wife Almodis. Ramon Berenguer had developed in an incompetent fat good-for-nothing, wasting the money their father allotted to him. His marriage to Uracca Jimenez, the chronically depressed daughter of the former king of Aragon, meant that the fat slob had a claim to a throne too.
The other twin Berenguer Ramon was even worse. He was a vicious little man vying for power. No act was too low for him to gain more power. His wife, Anna Doukas, added a Byzantine touch to his petty plots.
Besides his three sons the four Counts of the Duchy each wielded quite some influence:
The most influential of these counts wasBernat de Besalu, the Count of Albarracin. Bernats a and well respected military leader as well as a friend and brother-in-law of the Dukes eldest son. However, the death of his wife Agnes, the daughter of the Duke of had changed him. The once aimable and easygoing Bernat had become a thoroughly bitter man. Strange rumours of heresy had started to surround him too.
Hug d’Empuries, Count of Empuries and son of old man Ponç, and Guislabert, the new Count of Rosello are both rather unremarkable and inexperienced rulers. The only thing worth noting is the feud both men develloped with Ermengol od Urgell.
Ermengol de Barcelona-Urgell, Count of Urgell is the rising star among the nobles of Barcelona. The boy has just turned 18, but his quick wit and sharp tongue had made him many enemies already.
Ermengol de Barcelona-Urgell, Count of Urgell
These where the men that would lead Barcelona in the coming wars…
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