THE DOMAIN OF THE MONASTERY OF ESLONZA

IN THE TERRITORY OF LAMPREANA-VILLAFÁFILA

 DURING THE HIGH MIDDLE AGES S. X TO XIII

The Monastery of San Pedro de Eslonza, together with that of Sahagún, is one of the oldest in Spain. Its establishment dates back to the first moments of the Reconquest.

We intend to make a study of its heritage in Lampreana-Villafáfila, during the High Middle Ages [1] .

Its Ruins are located in the town of Santa Olaja de Eslonza (from which it takes its surname), between the Esla and Poma rivers and not far from Mansilla de las Mulas and the Monastery of San Miguel de la Escalada.

It was founded in the 10th century, from the adjuvant guarantee, it is the first that we have reference to.

In its beginnings, the "rule of the Holy Fathers" was observed by its monks, but from 1052 - the Council of Coyanza (Valencia de Don Juan) - the Cluniac rule of San Benito was adopted - reigning D. Alfonso VI .

His influence then was enormous. In 1186 he owned 4 priories, 65 churches and some 50 towns. In Villafáfila he owned the churches of Santa María del Moral and Santiago and also his domain was so large that they practically formed a priory.

The abbot exercised civil and criminal jurisdiction over all of them. For this reason, when he issued a document, it was headed by the following formula (or very analogous):

“We the abbot Fr…..of this College of San Pedro de Eslonza, spiritual and temporal lord of the places of….Another yes. Ordinary Ecclesiastical Judge in all the places of the Abbey, Annexes and affiliations with their own, destiny and separate territory that is vere Nellus, Diocese, etc” [2] .

Location of the Monastery of Eslonza

At the end of the Middle Ages, the monastery was governed by the commendatory abbots, as happened in the rest of the monasteries of Castile, and later, when these disappeared due to the action of the Catholic Monarchs, they were incorporated into the Vallisolenta-Benedictine observance, until its definitive disappearance, with the Liberal Confiscation of 1836.

But we leave these last moments and let's stick to the first ones, which is when its influence takes place in the territory that concerns us: Lampreana-Villafáfila.

This territory is a true "strategic desert" (Sánchez-Albornoz), in those first moments of the reconquest; Its occupation by “hasty”, by the Christians descending from the mountains of León, is known to us from the documents referring to its “pausatas” (Lagoons) where the salt was processed.

Old facade of the Monastery of Eslonza

This was of great importance not only in the daily human diet, but also in the conservation, over time, of the most used foods: fish and meat.

These “pausatas”-salt pans are, on the other hand, the only existing and productive ones, in those first centuries, in the León area. Their possession is, consequently, widely desired by the two aforementioned monasteries – the closest ones – as well as, for example, , by others as distant as Sobrado de los Monjes, in distant Galicia. In this acquisitive fight the most benefited turns out to be that of Sahagún, although later, when his power declined, as a result of the struggles he had with his vassals - first quarter of the 12th century -, the Eslonza was the most fortunate. . It is the fight for the purchase of the salt flats from those "pressors" who owned and exploited them.

The first documented news that tells us about the presence of the Monastery of Eslonza in the "territory of Fáfila" refers to the sale of a vineyard, made to its abbot Adyuvando, in 943, by another abbot named Eglilo and his sons Adefonsus, Ratario. And Simplicius.

“Vinea in villa que vocitant Canioes super ripa fluminnis Estola justa ipsos vestros Molinos determinata per cuntis terminis suis, de termino de Fafila usque ad termino de Greudo et de alia parte usque in kasas ete de quarta parte termino de Aldreto” (vineyard in the village which they call Cañones on the banks of the river Esla next to your mill, determined by all its terms. I finish from Fáfila until the term of Greudo and from the other part to the houses and for the fourth part by the term of Aldreto [3] ) . The sale price was solid XXIII [4] .

Said document tells us that, on that date, the monastery had some mills on the Esla river, a little outside the territory of Lamprea, but close by, which indicates its antiquity in the latter.

The first known document that tells us about the “pausatas” of Lamprea is from 917, due to the endowment of the female Monastery of Santiago de León [5] . In the year 936 Villafáfila already appears, with her own name, in the sale made by some “pressors” to the Sahagún Monastery.

“Et ego Alarico et uxor mea Fradegundia vendo bobis IIª pausetas in Lamprea cun suis puteis es suos eiratos cun suosterms 1st pause an Lucuna Maiore an terminum de Abiza est de Pinniolo et Villa Fafila et termino de Atanarico” (And I Alaric and my wife Fradegundia we sell to you II salinas, in Lamprea, with its wells and threshing floors, with its limits: 1ª Salina to the Laguna Mayor, at the end of Abiza and Piniolo and Villa Fáfila and the end of Atanarico) [6] .

The previous document is of great importance because it not only mentions Villafáfila, but also the Laguna Mayor (the current Salina Grande) and something as important as the form of exploitation of the "pausatas": "wells and eras", as currently we see in any saline.

In the year 945, the Monastery of Eslonza became more established in the area, due to the sale made by its abbot.

“Elias cognomento Zulaimen et uxor mea Sisuerta”…..”medietaten of my own lands that we know in Lamprea territory iusta villa que vocitant Revellines determinatun procunctis terminis suis de termino Donmico usque karralo qui discurrit de Castro Gundisalbao ad Lampriana et pro termino de Cristophoro et part of Elia termino de Mataco per ipsos Kasares per ubi eam bobis delimetabimus” (half of my own lands that we have in the territory of Lampreana next to the Villa they call Revellinos determined by all its terms: terminus of Dommico up to the road that goes from Castrogonzalo to Lampreana and through the term of Cristoforo and on the other hand the term of Mataco, through the same houses as there.... we delimit you [7] .

The sale price was solid XX. The document also tells us about existing roads from one place to another: from Castrogonzalo to Lampreana.

In 946 the purchase takes place by the abbot adyuvandus a Proficio, also in Revellinos, but it is in addition to land, houses, curtains and orchards, with their "puteos" (wells).

“et in alios locos in Lucana de Arcello vindo bobis meas Pautas ad integro ubique potueritis eas inbenire omnia vobis vindo” (and somewhere, in Laguna de Arcello, I sell my salt pans to you….. in full and where you can find them, all at you I sell) [8] .

The purchase price is remarkable, solid CLXIIIII, since the content of the sale is great.

The Monastery of Eslonza not only buys land and vineyards, it has entered the salt business, buying "pausatas" in Arcello. We suppose this lagoon is the current one of Barillos, in the town indicated above.

These acquisitions are the deepest advance towards the south, of these Leonese monasteries. Occur

"Regnante prince nostro Raneiro (II)" of León.

The border with the Saracen was in the Duero, since the king D. Alfonso III had conquered Zamora, in 893, and the battle of Simancas, won by D. Ramiro II to the caliph abd Al-Rahman III of Córdoba, had taken place in 939, just 6-7 years earlier.

The end of the 10th century is governed by the great figure of the Arab leader Almanzor (977-1002) who devastated the Christian fortresses with his power: Zamora, Toro, Astorga, León, Santiago, etc. in the times of Vermudo II.

Everything between Zamora and León was looted, including the great monasteries of Sahagún and Eslonza. Zamora, the center of that devastation, had become a frontier. Everything that had been conquered from the Muslim had been lost.

The document from the year 988, from the monastery of San Pedro de Eslonza, does not confirm this disastrous situation.

“Dun ergo ingressi sunf serraceni in teram istam et pergant ad civitatem legionensem ut destruerent eam sicut et fecerunt” . (because the Saracens entered this land to reach the city of León and destroy it, as they did) [9]

The defeat of Almanzor in Catalañazor (1002), encouraged the Christians, they recovered what was lost and dedicated themselves to repopulating, fortifying and rebuilding temples, houses and cities.

The King of León D. Alfonso V granted the jurisdiction of León to his entire kingdom, with uniformity of civil and criminal legislation.

In the fights between Sancho García III, from Navarra, and Vermudo III, from León, the latter perished in Támara (Palencia) and the former took over the city of León itself, which he incorporated into his Navarrese kingdom. León disappears, as such, and Castile appears, in the person of D. Fernando I, his son and heir, (1037-1065). Periods of calm arise during his reign, in the fight with the infidel, which he takes advantage of to repopulate and colonize.

From the 11th to the 12th century we witness the appearance and formation in the area of ​​a feudal society: reconstruction and consolidation of the monasteries of Sahagún and Eslonza and the formation of that of Moreruela, in addition to other religious establishments: Bishoprics of León, Astorga and Zamora, as well as the Military Order of Santiago, preferably based on the exploitation of terrazzo for the benefit of their income.

The Sahagún Monastery is still the most important in the Lampreana territory. This is how he recognizes in a document of 1049 of King D. Fernando I, who orders that everything he had in it be restored and his rights recognized, since the officers of Count D. Fernando Muñiz, tenente of Zamora y Toro, entered it learning the rents and the toll of the salt of its monks, disturbing them in their villas, pauses and cabins. [10]

King D. Alfonso VI, his successor, takes the border to the Tagus, conquering Toledo. The Saracen is not to be feared, given the distance, and therefore the inhabitants and emigrants, in the area, dedicate themselves to repopulation.

The establishments of the city of León itself will also benefit from the donations, in the territory of Lampreana. In 1042 the infante Ordoño Bermudez (son of Bermudo II), together with his wife Fronilde Pelayo (daughter of count Pelayo Rodríguez) donated to the León Monastery

“et in Lampreana in villa Regini concedemus vobis mediatate in una corte et in tres pazatas” (and in Lampreana, in the villa Regini, we grant you half a curtain and three saltworks).

Completing the previous Marina Pelayo and her daughters Fronilde and Jimena (granddaughter and great-granddaughter of the previous ones), in 1075 they gave the Legion church and its bishop Pelayo

“in the val de Lampreana, villa Regini integrates these terms….From the barceal de Lomba and from villa Tirso…..Villa Nazar…..villa Ferrozin” [11]

In 1077 Count Sancho Ordoñez (son of the Infante Ordoño Bermúdez, previously mentioned) donated his share in the Villarrín salt pans, which he had inherited from his grandfather, Count Pelayo Rodríguez, to the cathedral of León. [12]

It was the family of Count Pelayo Rodríguez, the greatest protector of Leonese religious establishments. King D. Alfonso VI himself granted the church of León the tenths of the Lampreana salt toll. This is indicated in a document from 1073, in which acquisitions made by Bishop Pelayo are cited.

“Post haec dedit nobis omnen deciman salis Lampreana portatico quae ad eum pertinebat” (After this he gave us all the tenth of the salt toll, from Lampreana, which belonged to him )

In the first half of the 12th century, on an undetermined date, the repopulation of Villafáfila took place (before Benavente and Villalpando), reigning D. Alfonso VII, in Castile. In 1151 it was his lieutenant D. Ponce de Cabrera, a clear indication that the settlement of it was done or in the process of being formed.

The political function has always had an immediate relationship in the development of a populated nucleus, which is illustrated by the long series of churches that appear in it. In Villafáfila three churches are known before 1165: Santa María del Moral, San Juan and Santiago. By then (1156) it already appears as the seat of the easternmost archpriesthood of the Astorgan See. [14]

The Castilian-Leonese kings make donations and grant privileges to those who have helped them in their warlike undertakings against the infidel. This opens a period of accumulation of goods by the Church. The king and the tycoons come, in protection, from it the old Religious Orders are reorganized and new ones are created. The Cistercian is at the head of all in the area: Monasteries of San Martín de Castañeda, Sobrado and especially Moreruela, given its proximity. That of Eslonza (which does not belong to the aforementioned order) acquires great importance.

In 1099, King Alfonso VI donated the monastery of Santa María de Algadefe to the Monastery of Eslonza, among whose assets appears

“in Santa Marina de Sancto Christoforo una posada de sale” [15] we do not know exactly where to locate this place (document number 7, above, cites the term of Christophoro in Lampreana) and neither if when saying “posada” it refers to a “pausata” (saline) or a salt deposit.

Starting in 1143, over a period of 10 years, the Eslonza Monastery acquired various properties from Justa Domínguez and her children through one of its members: Juan Spora. This period corresponds to the abadologies of Pedro (1140-1142, 1147-1167) and Martín (1146, 1169-1187), who we do not know if it is about 4 consecutive abbots or 2 that follow each other alternately.

“Ego Justa Dominici, uxor Micahel Calvi, una cun filiis meis Pelagio Micahelici et Marina Micaeliz et Marta Micaheliz et Domingo Micaheliz tibi Johanni Spore, obidenciali monasterii Santi Petri Elisoncie facimus Kurtulan de una vinea que habemus in Villa Fafila peromiata in los orthos ago itaque vineam supradictam vendimus tibi Johani Spore…. spontanea voluntate et begnino cor de accidit nobis ut verderemus illam vinean pro V.º meloquinos moratitinos”(I Justa Domínguez, wife of Miguel Calvo, together with my children Pelayo, María, Marina, Marta and Domingo Miguélez, to you Juna Espora, from the obedience of the Monastery of San Pedro de Eslonza, we make a letter from a vineyard that we have in the named Villafáfila, in the orchards, and therefore this aforementioned vineyard we sell to you Juan Espora…..will, spontaneously and with a benign heart we agree and sell the same vineyard for V morabetinos from Melequi). [16]

 In 1148 the sale is also carried out by the previous family and also in Villafáfila.

“We made kartulam hereditatis nostre que habemus de parentibus nostris in Lampreane territory in villa que vocitant Villa Fafila et est ipsa hereditas a court adcimiterio sancte Marie et una posada in Requexo et una vinea in illos ortos et alia hereditate per ubi ea portueris invenire per suis terminis et locis antiquis extra uno quinione de terras de Maria, Michaelici, hane itaque hereditatem super dictam quam vendimus tibi Johane Spore…. ut verderemus illa hereditate pro X et IIII malequino marabouts” (we make a letter of an estate of ours that we have from our parents, in the territory of Lampreana, in the Villa called Villafáfila and this same estate consists of a curtain, to the Santa María cemetery, and a salt pan in Requejo and a vineyard, in the orchards, and another estate, as you can find it there, by its terms and old places except a quiñón of lands of María Miguélez, and therefore this aforementioned estate that we sell to you Juan Espora… and we will sell the estate for X and III melequin morabetines). [17]

Likewise, as in the case we have previously seen of the royal donation of 1099, “una posada en Requejo” appears, which we interpret here as a salt pan and not as a salt deposit, as indicated below (sale of 1155).

And in 1153 they do it with

“We hereditary that we have perentubis nostris in Lamprehane territory in the town that Villa Fáfila dictated in bago malo. Hanc itaque hereditatem supra dictam quam…. spotanea volunteer et…. ut verderemus illas pro nouven morabetinos meliquinos” (our estate that we have, from our parents in the territory of Lampreana, in the town called Villafáfila, in Bajo Malo. Therefore, the aforementioned estate…. which with spontaneous will…. We sell it for nine Malequin morabetines [18]

 The document tells us that the estate is located in Bago Malo, within Villafáfila. This indicates the designation of "bago" for "payment" since ancient times, a terminology that is still used today.

In 1155 the sale takes place by Pelayo Miguélez, one of the sons of the previous family, his own and some of his brothers.

“Ego Pelagius Michaelis una con uxoren mea Culumba Michaeliz et filiis nostris Micheal Pelaiz et Petro Dominguiz et Pelagio Dominguiz et Martha Dominguiz tibi Johanni Spore…. et est ipsa inherited a court cum quatuor paused one in Villarigo, et alia in abrollar et tercia in Recheixo et IIIIª in Oter de Sariego…. Ut vernderemus illan hereditaten pro nouven morabitinos melequinos” (I Pelayo Miguélez with my wife Columba Miguélez and our children Miguel, Pelayo and Pedro, Pelayo and Marta Domínguez to you Juan Espora…. and this estate is a court with four salt pans: one in Villarigo and in Abrollar and the third in Requejo and the IIII in Otero de Sariegos.... and we sell the estate for nine morabetinos from Melaqui). [19]

The sale is of salt flats. It is the moment in which the monastery of Eslonza enters fully into the benefit of salt.

Increasing its possessions in the area, this monastery directs its steps towards Revellinos, buying an estate from Salvador Romanez and sons in 1151.

“A court cum suas terras et cum suis directuris exitus et egressus montibus et in fontibus in pratis et in pascuis et in ipsa eclesia quantum ad ipsan ereditatem pertinet et in Villa Fafila quantum ibi ebebat de sua ereditate sine casas. Hanc itaqu ereditate suprradictam vendimus tibi Johanes Spora…. pro VII moribitinos et VIIII Oxuas de rye….” (a court with land and its rights of entrances and exits and lots of fountains, meadows and pastures and the same church, as much as it belongs to the same estate and in Villafáfila how much there was said estate without the houses. Therefore the aforementioned estate we sell to ti Juan Espora… for VII Morabetinos and VIIII ochaveas de rye). [twenty]

The acquisition in addition to the possession of mountains, sources, etc. It also includes entry and exit rights and the church that carries tithes.

Next, in 1155 in the same Revellinos the Monastery, through Juan Espora, bought Roman Xabiz, his wife and children.

“a land that talks in Revellinos about sober lo well quomodo discurit usque ad villam et exinde usque ad viam que venit de Villa Lobos ad Revellinos…. pro quinque morabetinos melequis” (a land that we have in Revellinos like the water from the well runs to the Villa and from there to the road…. that comes from Villalobos to Revellinos. [21]

And of Domingo Pérez his wife and children.

“de una terra que habemus in Revellinos perominata in ipsa carreira que discurrit de Villalobos ad acclesian de Revellinos es ipsa terra iacet cum alia de Santo Petro….venderemus illant terram per quator marabitinos melaquis” (of a land that we have in Revellinos in the race that runs from Villalobos to the church of Revellinos and the same land is with another of San Pedro.... and we sell the land for four morabetinos from Melaqui). [22]

The most important possession that the Monastery of Eslonza had in Villafáfila was the monastery-church of Santa María, which was donated by the council of Terrones in 1147.

“ego Ciprianus prebister una cum concilio de Terrones a tibi Johannes Spora ebedencialis de Sancti Petri Elisoncie dabimus isto monastery of Villafáfila per nominata Sancta María que habeas tu Johones Spora in vita tua et post obitum tuum illo abaas de Sancti Petri cum concilio Sancta María et de alios homines bono de illo monastery Sancti Petri veniat ad Santa María de Villafáfila unus de his monachis es dabimus a tibi Johannes Spora et a Sancti Petri Elisoncie et dabimus tibi in exitus ubi comque potueris iuveniere habeas tu et omnis posteritas tua, tenedi dnadi, vendi licensed sine impediment nostri generis et alterius nature usquen in sempiternum” (I, Cipriano, priest, together with the council of Terrones, to you, Juan Espora, of the Obedience of San Pedro de Eslonza, give this monastery of Villafáfila, named Santa María, that your Juan Espora may have in your life and after your death, the Abbot of San Pedro, Council of Santa María and other good men from the Monastery of Sam Pedro, let some monks come to Santa María de Villafáfila and accept the monastery with all that it belongs to. And this estate is in Villafáfila and we give it to you Juna Espora and San Pedro de Eslonza and we give to the ends where you can find them and that you and your posterity have the power to have, donate and sell without impediment of any kind on our part or of another nature forever). [23]

Where is Terrones located? Undoubtedly in the salt flats of Villafáfila, since the Monastery of San Martín de Valdepueblo (Mayorga) received a donation from Poloti Gebuldiz “in Terrones VII Pautas” [24]

 In this church-monastery did the priory have its seat? who managed Eslonza's properties in the area. In it, rents, rights, privileges, salt, etc. were collected. Of the same.

 The Monastery of Eslonza, by purchase or donation, had acquired a remarkable heritage in Lampreana. He had invested by purchase, in less than 25 years, the not insignificant amount, in those days, of 64 morabetinos. His necessary influence had to be felt in Villafáfila.

Who was Juan Espora? He was an administrator monk, placed there permanently, by the abbot of the Monastery, since the donations of Terrones are for life and after his death they pass to the Monastery.

All these purchases and donations take place, according to the dates indicated, during the reign of Don Alfonso VII, the Emperor, since the documents say:

Regnante impérate Adefonso una cum coniuge sua Berengaria imperatrice in Legionen et in Tolelo .

Or substituting Doña Berenguela for her other spouse Richa (Rica) who died.

How are these donations and purchases? They are concessions in perpetuity of the terrazzo and its inhabitants, present and future, with which it leads to the perception of taxes, which until then the king received, and which is the greatest interest of the new owner.

Following the policy of donations, in 1154, Don Alfonso VII donated to the Bishop of Astorga, Don Pedro Cristiano (1153-1156) the thirds of the entire church of Villafáfila and Lampreana. [25]

“ut ab ago die secundun Sancta canonum institutionem dent vobis tetias de tota terra Lamprena et Vila Fafila et hec Facio ut ab hac die habeatis it possideatis vos et emnes” (that from today, according to the situation of the sacred canons, give you the thirds of all the land of Lampreana and Villafáfila and I do this so that from today you and all your successors have and walk around the integral third of all the tenths perpetually gift hereditary right). [26]

Also, in 1157, the Infanta Doña Elvira gave the church of Astorga and its Bishop Don Fernando the thirds of all the churches it had, including those of Villarrín, Bretó, Castrogonzalo, Castropepe, Torres, Mairen and Arrabalde. [27]

A few years later, in 1162, Pope Alexander III, by pontifical bull, at the request of the Bishop of Astorga D. Fernando, took under his protection all the properties of the diocese, including those he had in Villafáfila.

“ter-tia decimarum in Villa Fafila, ecclesian Sancti Martini et alias duas ecclesias, es tertias decimarum in ómnibus ecclesisiis de Lampreana et tertias quas dedit infantissa Goloyra astiricensi de ecclesiis de Castrogonzalo, de Castropepe de utroque Breto, de Mairen de Torres y Arrabalde” (the third of the tithes in Villafáfila, the church of San Martín and two other churches, and the third of the tithes of all the churches of Lampreana, and the thirds that the infanta Elvira gave to the Church of Astorga of the churches of Castrogonzalo , from Castropepe, from both Bretó de Mairen and from Torres and from Arrabalde). [28]

These royal donations caused lawsuits in the following years between the Diocese of Astorga and the Monastery of Eslonza. This was the owner of the church of Santa María de Villafáfila and another in Revellinos. (San Bartolome).

The royal concessions – partly contradictory – were the cause of these disputes. Aware of this, King Alfonso VII, as far as he could, tried to compensate them, in the face of a negative sentence, and for this reason in 1155 he made a donation to the Eslonza Monastery of an estate in Villafáfila. At the time that Cardinal Jacinto (later Celestino III) held a council in Toledo.

“Ego Adefonso imperatore una cum coniuge mea imperatrice dompna Richa facio kartam donaciones seu fonfirimacionis Deo omnipotenti et beato Petro de Esloza nec non es abbati dompno Pert-o cetoreque conventui fratrum sub regulla Sancti Benedicti ibendem Deo serviencium tam presencium quam futurorum de hereditate de Villa Fáfila that is my own ereditas, is the pre-named monastery Sancte Marie totaad integra et mediatati Sancti Jocabi et hoc facio ob remedium anime mee et metris mee et parentum meorum tam vivorum quam defuntorum. Habet emin iacenciam supra nominata villa inter Oter de Frates et Fortunola et Torrones….dono et concedo edintegro cum fontibus et pascuis et egreesibus et regresibus….et pro ista hereditate non faciatis nollum forun nisi ubi volueritis, habeatis, possideatis,have, possess, donate and all your will of it do forever. Amen.[29]

The litigation, previously mentioned, continued alive over time, which meant that in 1160 it was filed between the Diocese of Astorga and the Monastery of Eslonza. The solution came at the hands of Bishop don Juan de León (1163-1181) establishing a concord

“singuli annis monachi Sancti Petri de perfata ecclesia pro tercia dare debenbant personant seiSancte Marie Antoricensi IIII medio salis et pro ariete unum solidum et recipiant ardchidiacomun tres parte hospites cum X honimibus et VI equitaturis” (every year the monks of Saint Peter of said church , for the third that they had to give, pay to the Headquarters of Santa María de Astorga III modios of salt and for each ram a salary and the archdeacon deliver three parts of the host with X men and VI mounts). [30]

The litigation in Eslonza did not end. Later, in 1165, he had to establish a new agreement before the bishop, now from Astorga, Don Fernando (1157-1172), with Miguel Arias y Román, a clergyman and his heirs, owners of the church of Santiago.

“Notum est ómnibus morantibus in Lampreana et in Villafáfila quos eclesie sancti Jocobi qui est in eadem villa est comunis inter monasterrim sancti Petri Elisoncie et Micheaelem Arias et Romanum clericum et suos heredes scilicet mediatas ipsius ecclesie est predicti monasterii etelaia mediteas iam doctorum heredum. Ne itaque insequentibus temporibus inter predicti monasterri monachos et proniminatos heredades ilaquia controversy super iam dicta sancti jacobi ecclesia debeat oriri aut si orta fuerit de facili rationabileter possit decided placuit atrisque convenientiam in die consecrationis ipsius ecclesie unanimiter et concorditer impresentia Domini Fernandi astoricensis ecclesie referendo antistiis consilio et mandate eius factuam in scrpto redigere….(Let all the inhabitants of Lampreana and Villafáfila know that the church of Santiago, which is in the same town, is shared between the monastery of San Pedro de Eslonza and the cleric Miguel Arias y Romano and his heirs, that is, half of the church, belongs to the said monastery and the other half of said heirs, so that in the coming times between the monks of the said monastery and the named heirs no controversy arises over said church of Santiago or if it arises easily and reasonably, a decision can be made prior to the convenience of both parties on the day of the consecration of the same church with unanimity and agreement in the presence of Mr. Fernando reverend bishop of the Astoricense Church for his advice and mandate to make this agreement in writing.In the same way as for the first fruits, tithes ,obligations of the dead, indulgences and all kinds of benefits of the aforementioned church of Santiago, separating before the thirds of the tithes of the Church of Astorga, the monks and the heirs divide it by half, however taking into account in common agreement that the church of Santa María is next to the same church of Santiago, for her no tax or damage is applied to the parishioners).[31]

Despite these disputes, the Eslonza Monastery increased its possessions in Villafáfila. The interest in salt continued and so we see how in 1177 he bought the “pausata” ad Laroia ”from Pedro and his wife Justa Núñez through Juan Espora.

“in the territory of Lampreana in the town that vocitatur Villafáfila et est ipsa hereditas una pause ad Laroia hoc quod in ea habemus hoc tibi damus atque relimquimus atque sancti monastery Petri Elisoncie et ego Johanes Spora de tibi Petro Fedo et uxori tue Juste Nuñez duos marabitinos pro predicta paused” (in the territory of Lampreana in a town called Villafáfila and this estate itself consists of a salt pan in Loria, everything we have in it we give to you and leave to the monastery of San Pedro de Eslonza and I Juan Espora give to you Pedro Fedo and your wife Justa Núñez two marabetinos for the predicted saline). [32]

In 1182, the Monastery of Eslonza received donations of other pauses and some vineyards, in the area of ​​Benedicto Miguélez and his wife Oro María Pedro.

“remedium animarun nostrarum et parentum nostrorum de duabus quartis vinearum quas habemus in Villa Fafila in bago de Fortunola….de first part Vienna Pedro Calvo, second part Sarvador Pedro de Tercia part Vermudus Xabez de fourth part public road it insuper damus et concedimus supracicto Sancti Petri Monastery is supra monarete ecclecsie sancte Marie illas pousadad quas habemus iuxta pousandan donnin Johannis Spora ad sancta Eonalian. Tali siquidemracciones hec omnia sancto Pedro et sancte Marie damus ut nos omnia tenemus ómnibus diebus vite nostre et quando iliquis nostrum a seculo magriverit mediatate accipiat ecclesia sancti Petri te ecclesia sancte Marie. Alter vero qui super vexirit habeat alia mediantatemomnubus diebus vite sue de el et post eius obitum totum dimittat sancto Petro et sancte Marie. (For the remedy of our soul and that of our parents of two quarters of the vineyard that we have in Villafáfila in the bago de Fortunola….first part Pedro Calvo vineyard, second part Salvador Pedro third part Vermudo Xabez fourth part public roads and we give and grant to the aforementioned monastery of San Pedro and the supra said church of Santa María the salt mines that we have next to the salt mine of Mr. Juan Espora and Santa Eulalia, since for this reason we give everything to San Pedro and Santa María and we we have all the days of our lives and when one of us emigrates, half of us will have access to the church of San Pedro and the church of Santa María, but the surviving bull has the other half every day of his life and after his death all refer to Saint Peter and Saint Mary.And I, Juan Espora, give and grant to you that salt mine, as much as you have of me, in all the days of your life you have them and after your death of both in peace to Saint Peter and Saint Mary return it.[33]

The donation is one of the so-called “in prestimonio”. The Monastery gives a salt mine to the donors Benedicto and his wife so that at their death all of them will revert. It is stipulated that while one of the donors lives, the monastery will only receive half of the donation.

This is from a vineyard perfectly located by its limits and a salt pan next to the one that the Monastery already had and that because of that condition the two are joined.

The above sales and donations take place during the reign of

“Ferdinand II with his son Alfonso ruled in Legione, Gallecia, Astuiis Extremadure”

The Monastery of Eslonza also received a donation in 1199, from Pedro Arias and his wife Velida, of land located next to the Laguna de Monago, perfectly delimited, which he would take possession of after his death. Among its limits is “cararia que discirit a Toro”, the path of Toro. Since the donation was made directly to the monastery, it makes us suppose that Juan Espora was no longer in Villafáfila.

“Regnante rex Adefonus (IX) in Legione cum Regina Berengaria in Legione et Asturias et Estremadura” [34]

The 13th century begins with a very unique donation. In 1201, he receives the other half of the Church of Santiago, which had been the subject of a lawsuit with the cleric Miguel Arias and his heirs.

“Ego Petrus Micaellis una cum patre meo Micaelle Salgato et matre mea domna Marina et fratibus meis et sororibus damus et concedimus in perpetuum illam dedietatem ecclesie sancti Jacobi de Villa Fafila qua Johanes Micaellis meus consanguineus debit mihi Petro Micaellis, domno johani abati ecclesie sancti Petri Helysoncie et conventi eiusdem ecclesie e aorum sucessoribus…. Facimus et concedimus amore Dei primitus et pro redencione animarum nostrarum et parentum nostrorum et pro fraternitate ey socieatate et benefice quibus nos ipsi receperunt”(I, Pedro Miguélez, together with my father Miguel Salgato and my mother Doña Marina and my brothers and sisters, perpetually grant and grant half of the church of Santiago de Villafáfila that Juan Miguélez, my blood relative, gave to Pedro Miguélez, to Don Juan Abbot of the Church of San Pedro de Eslonza and convent of the same church and to your successors….we do and we grant for the love of God and for the redemption of our soul and that of our parents and for the fraternity and society and benefit that we ourselves will receive) . [35]

King Alfonso IX continued to reign with Queen Doña Berenguela of León and Galicia. The church of Santiago was totally from the Monastery of Eslonza.

We know from a Bull of Pope Urban III of 1186, the free possessions of any ecclesiastical jurisdiction and directly dependent on the Roman Pontiff, who owned the Monastery of Eslonza at those dates, among them figure

“in the village and the church…. de Villafáfila and San Bartolomé in Revellinos and the possessions and rights that belong to you in this same town”. [36]

In 1221 the Monastery in Villafáfila must have had difficulties because it had to go to the Pope. This is indicated in a sentence by an apostolic judge, sub-delegate of Pope Honorius III, in which the church of Villafáfila is declared to belong to the same monastery, by right of patronage. [37]

Juan Espora disappeared, true architect of the domain. Priory? of the Monastery of Eslonza in Lampreana-Villafáfila, this begins to decline, as we have seen. Contributing to this was the fact that the salt mines became a royal royalty from the reign of D. Alfonso VII. [38]

At the head of the domain there is no monk, but the abbot appoints a cleric, outside the Order, who is obliged to deliver to him a part of what he collects. This is what happened, in 1291, with Juan Domínguez.

“Know how many see this letter as I did, Johan Dominguez, a clergyman living in Villa Fáfila, forced me and all my goods to give to you, But Martinez, the abbot of San Pedro de Aldonsa, and the other abbots who came after you, to give to you every year. four loads of barley unna bonna procurement of bread and wine and meat or fish and two dozen salt cheese in honor of the padronadigo of your Igrissia de Santa María del la Moral that I have of you and for the third party that you alone To take this aforementioned egress of bread and wine and salt and I renounce all Law to all written and unwritten laws that could help me in fishing that you I did not pay for this bread and salt on the feast of Santa María de Setembre… .Don Pedro Martines gave us the ground on which to live the desires we have and near the church in which our monks and our men already live.”[39]

This document shows us that the load was already used as a unit of measurement at that time, as is currently the case, and that the church of Santa María, a donation from the Council of Terrones, is the same as today's Santa María del Moral, to which we have to assign an antiquity of then, 1147 years. It also indicates the value of the third party that the Monastery received.

Author:

Manuel de la Granja Alonso:

The dominion of the monastery of Eslonza in the territory of Lampreana-Villafáfila during the Middle Ages .

Lands of León: Journal of the Provincial Council ,  ISSN  0495-5773,  Vol. 36, No. 101, 1997 , pp. 1-18.

Photos:

google.maps.

A. Calvo, "San Pedro de Eslonza" (1957), pl. two.

Transcription and montage:

Jose Luis Dominguez Martinez.

All text, photographs, transcription and montage, the rights belong to their authors, any type of use is prohibited without authorization.