The execution
Following the first siege to the castle, the archbishop has the leaders of the revolt executed.
During the urban revolt of 1318-20, the citizens attacked the castle with the support of Afonso Suárez de Deza, governor of the archbishop’s fortresses and Infant don Filipe. The first siege to the castle, when they set fire to the manor house and some premises, occurred in February 1319. After two years of conflicts, in which the archbishop was not able to enter the city, he took refuge in Rocha Forte and Pontevedra, Berenguel brought the uprising to an end.
The revolt came to a bloody end, within the walls of the fortress, on 16th September 1320. Men of the archbishop murder Afonso Suárez de Deza and other eleven leaders of the city revolt and reclaim the archbishop’s rule in Santiago. Next month, as punishment to the allies of the rebels, he sent his troops to Terra do Deza to attack the castles of Churruchaos and take the fortresses of Ponte Ledesma, Galegos, Férveda and Chapa. He also destroyed the castle of Felpós, the headquarters of nobleman Alvar Sánchez de Ulloa.
The experience of this uprising and siege taught Berenguel the strategic role of the castle. As a result, he had it rebuilt and reinforced to consolidate his power in the area by emphasizing its military architecture and giving it a new configuration after the most innovative trends of the Europe of the time. And he did the same with the cathedral, which became a true fortress.
