[2] On the heels of a successful razzia (raid) deep into Islamic al-Andalus, Alfonso VII briefly invested the city before retiring.

The Corians responded ("bravely" in the words of the Chronica) with a sally, but the plundering troops feigned retreat and led the Muslims into an ambush prepared by Alfonso, where they were all cut down.

His besieging forces were inadequate for the task, however, and Alfonso sent messengers into the Extremadura and the Province of León threatening to confiscate the property of any "knights and foot soldiers [who] did not come" and help him with the siege.

[7] 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.

[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.

[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.