Siege of Coria (1138)

The conduct of the infantry, armed with spears, swords and clubs, and also of the archers, crossbowmen and slingers, was distinguished in light of the paucity of cavalry, but not enough to alter the result.^[8] Siege engineers also played a prominent role, but they played an even greater part in the second siege of Coria a few years later.^[9] The machines present are described by the Chronica as "high wooden towers that actually reached above the city walls", "engines" and "mantlets". The town was successfully shut off and nobody was said to have been able to either leave or enter.^[10]

The day before the actual assault on the walls had begun, Alfonso decided to go into the mountains to hunt deer, boar and bear, leaving Rodrigo Martínez in command of the siege.^[11] The next morning the magnate led an unsuccessful assault on the walls, in which he was wounded by an arrow while climbing one of the siege towers.^[12] The arrow pierced both his headpiece and his corselet and the iron head struck his neck.^[13] Although Rodrigo was able immediately to remove it, the surgeons were unable to staunch the hemorrhaging and he succumbed some hours later:

Neither the conjurers nor the physicians could stop the bleeding. Finally Rodrigo said to those around him, "Take off my arms, for I am extremely disheartened." Immediately they removed his arms and carried him to his tent. Throughout the entire day they attempted to cure his wound. Around sunset all hope in medicine was lost, and he died. As soon as the news had spread through the camp, there was tremendous mourning—more than anyone had imagined. Upon returning from the mountains, the Emperor was informed of the Consul's death. He learned the cause upon entering the camp. Alfonso gathered all of his advisors, and in their presence, he appointed Osorio, Rodrigo's brother, to be consul in his place.^[14]

The next day Alfonso "realizing his many misfortunes ... yielded to fate" and lifted the siege.^[15] The noblemen each returned to their homes while the king accompanied the militia to Salamanca. Rodrigo's brother, now Count Osorio, and the former's retainers carried Rodrigo's body back to León.^[16]