It was founded by Alfonso VIII at the request of Tello Téllez de Meneses.
The university was founded about 1212, shortly after the aforesaid victory in the Battle of Navas de Tolosa (others say in 1208), and the king summoned from France and Italy noted teachers of various arts and sciences, retaining them in Palencia on large salaries.
In 1243, Rodrigo Díaz records that in spite of unpropitious events, study continued in Palencia and that the cardinal legate, Juan de Abbeville, in a Council of Valladolid (1228) had endeavoured to revive it.
Bishop Fernando obtained from Urban IV (14 May 1263) a Bull granting to the professors and students of Palencia all the privileges of the University of Paris.
It was Bishop Telo who also established convents of the Dominicans and Franciscans; the former was famous for the striking conversion of Peter González.