He became a bishop after the Moors were driven from Cuenca and he made pastoral visits to the people in his diocese where he fed prisoners and provided grain for the poor farmers.

But he never forgot his desire to live in solitude and made annual trips where he could best find silence before reemerging to resume his episcopal duties.

[2] During his time in Palencia he worked as a basket-maker and maker of other trade goods in order to earn extra income for the poor as well to support himself.

In 1163 he left Palencia and his teaching duties to live a life of solitude in a modest house outside Burgos located on the banks of the Arlanzón.

He exercised his administrative duties but continued preaching as well as making baskets in order to generate income for the poor.