Tello Pérez de Meneses

Tello participated in several military campaigns during the Reconquista and subsequent Repoblación, and was also a generous founder and patron of monasteries and hospitals for captives and lepers.

[2][4] Tello Pérez de Meneses was a distinguished member of the curia regis of King Alfonso VIII of Castile whom he served as a loyal vassal and from whom he received many royal favors.

[5] He owned vast estates in the eastern part of Tierra de Campos, some of which were adjacent to Torozos including Meneses and Montealegre.

As compensation for his efforts, Tello was granted the rights of usufruct during his lifetime and at his death, all the property and half of the cattle would revert to the order.

[12][13][14][15] On 13 March 1182, Tello and his relative Pedro Gutiérrez and his wife María Boso, founded a hospital for captives and pilgrims in Cuenca which they handed over to the Order of Santiago for its administration.

[17] With his wife and children, Tello made a generous donation in 1185 to the Monastery of Santa María de Trianos which included his estates and properties in Trianos, Villacreces, Tordellos, San Nicolás del Real Camino and Fresno, properties which he and his mother-in-law, Teresa Pérez, abbess at the monastery in Gradefes, had previously acquired.

[18][21][22][23] With the consent of his five children, all of whom are mentioned in the charter, Tello made a generous donation in July 1195 to a monastery in Villanueva de San Mancio which had been founded a century earlier but whose assets had diminished considerably.