Lope Díaz II de Haro

Lope Díaz II de Haro "Cabeza Brava" (b. 1170 – d. November 15, 1236) was a Spanish noble of the House of Haro, the sixth Lord of Biscay, founder of the municipality of Plentzia, and lord of Álava from 1252–1274. He was the eldest son of Diego López II de Haro and his wife, María Manrique. Lope was also a member of the Order of Santiago.

Lope Díaz fought alongside his father at the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa where he distinguished himself. That action expelled the Almohads from the region and brought it under Castilian rule. The battle was commanded by three Christian kings; Alfonso VIII of Castile, Peter II of Aragon and Sancho VII of Navarre.

Lope Díaz came to power in difficult times after the death of his father on 16 October 1214. A few days after he came to power, King Alfonso VIII of Castile died, leaving his 10-year-old son, the ill-fated Henry I of Castile, as heir to the throne after mysterious the death of his older brother, Fernando de Castilla y Plantagenet. The House of Lara gained power over Henry and started a rivalry with his sister, Berengaria of Castile, who consequently was Lope Díaz' patron. In 1217, Henry was 'accidentally' killed at the age of 13 by a falling roof tile. He was succeeded by his sister Berengaria, with the support of Lope Díaz, amongst other nobles, who later abdicated in favor of her son Ferdinand III of Castile, crowned in Nájera. Alfonso IX of León, the father of Ferdinand III was against the coronation of his son and invaded Castile with the support of the House of Lara. During this invasion, Álvaro Núñez de Lara gained power in Nájera and was subsequently defeated and imprisoned by Lope Díaz.

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