Peter travels south in 1097 to inspect…

Peter travels south in 1097 to inspect his fortress at Castellón, though the Historia Roderici claims that he came to help Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, called El Cid.

He meets Rodrigo in Valencia and with a large force already assembled they decide to reinforce the southern frontier fort of Benicadell, rebuilt by Rodrigo in 1091.

As they are passing by Játiva they are met by an Almoravid force under the command of Mohammed, the nephew of Almoravid leader Yusuf ibn Tashfin, and the commander whom Rodrigo had defeated at the Battle of Cuarte in 1095.

They decide to hastily restock Benicadell and retreat to Valencia via the coast, but are met at the Battle of Bairén by Muhammad's forces encamped on the high ground that reached almost to the sea.

A small Almoravid fleet had been assembled from the southern ports, including Almería, and the Christians are trapped between arrow fire from the ships and the cavalry perched atop the hill.

Rodrigo rouses the troops with a speech and the next day at midday the Christians charge.

The Battle of Játiva ends in a rout, with many Almoravids killed or forced into the river or the sea, where many drown.

Peter and Rodrigo return to Valencia in triumph and thanking God for the victory, as the Historia records.