Timeline
Life and death at the greatest castle of Galicia.
13th
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1238: The Pope appoints Xoán Arias archbishop of Santiago
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Castle origins
The first mention of the Castle of Rocha Forte dates back to 1253, but it is quite likely that its construction is earlier.
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Chapter constitutions indicate that the castle was already inhabited
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The archbishop draws up his will and designates the castle as property of the archbishopric
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King Afonso X temporarily takes the castle in 1280
14th
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The Pope designates Berenguel de Landoira archbishop of Santiago in 1317
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The arrival of Berenguel: urban revolts
The new archbishop comes to take control of the domain and of the Church of Santiago but he is not welcomed by the bourgeoisie.
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The execution
Following the first siege to the castle, the archbishop has the leaders of the revolt executed.
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Berenguel rebuilds the castle and reinforces the military architecture of the city
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Following the death of Berenguel de Landoira, the Pope designated Martiño Fernández archbishop
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Holding to power. The civil war and the English invasion
With the fight for the succession to the throne of Castile, new forces come into play that contribute to instability in Galicia.
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Civil War between Peter of Castile and his successor to be Henry II (1366-69)
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The troops of the Duke of Lancaster enter Corunna and invade the northwestern of the Iberian Peninsula
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1388: The Treaty of Bayonne is signed thus bringing to an end the war for the throne of Castile.
15th
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1455: Álvaro Sánchez Dávila is named Castellan of Rocha Forte
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A Brotherhood to break free from the archbishop’s rule
The continuous abuse by feudal lords led to alliances between towns and knights.
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The destruction of the castle: the Great Irmandiño War
Locals, peasants, knights and ecclesiastics gather in Santa Susana, a oakwood at the gates of Santiago, and march against the castle.
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1472: The dismantling of the walls of the fortress begins
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Abandonment and plunder
The destruction caused by Irmandiños and its later systematic plundering almost wiped it from the face of the earth.
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1489: Sánchez Dávila, the last castellan of Rocha Forte, dies
16th
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The Tavera-Fonseca lawsuit: the witnesses
A document collects the memories of 183 people that saw the castle before its destruction and plundering.
17th
18th
19th
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1860: Preliminary studies for the construction of the railway line
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1873: The railway connecting Cornes and Carril opens
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The railway line and the first scientific studies
Treasure hunters, scholars and railway engineers: struggling for the potential of Rocha Forte.
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1886: Bernardo Barreiro begins his archaeological explorations
20th
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A jewellery shop in Santiago was robbed. The haul was hidden in the remains of Rocha Forte
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Hideout during Francoism
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A group of Falangists murders Eduardo Puentes, aka O Nécoras, in the ruins of the castle
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1962: Installation of an electricity pylon by FENOSA, an energy company
21st
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2001: Archaeological interventions start at the Castle site
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Archaeological excavations
They culminate in 2013 with the archaeological project for the study, recovery and appreciation of Rocha Forte.