Historical depiction
The most fearsome Spanish soldier at the beginning of the 16th century, known as “The Samson of Extremadura” and “Hercules of Spain” for his nigh-unnatural strength. Summed to his power, his courage in battle made him be seen as a national hero and an example of bravery and might.
Despite his innate inclination towards the military world and not having been raised in the Court, he learned to read and write.
He was appointed as a bodyguard of Pope Alexander VI after he defeated a retinue of Italian swordsmen with a bar of iron, and fought as the captain of the Italian unit commanded by the Pope. Around this time, he met Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba (The Great Captain), leader of the Spanish troops. However, he was deprived of his position and incarcerated after killing his opponent in a duel for not surrendering. He was lucky enough to escape, and worked as a mercenary for the Duke of Urbino, enemy of the Borgia, as well as a condottiero for the Colonna family.
A time after those incidents, García de Paredes joined the Spanish army and served in the troops commanded by The Great Captain in the Siege of Cephalonia, a city conquered by the Ottomans. It was here when his legend as The Samson of Extremadura began.
The Ottomans possessed a machine with hooks that they used to grab the enemies and crash them against the walls or drop them from high above. García de Paredes, positioned in the first ranks, was caught by a hook as well, but was able to get rid of it without letting go of his weapons and reach the top of the garrison’s walls. Once above, he faced the soldiers in the fort all by himself until, three days later, he was finally reduced. In signal of respect, he was spared his life and imprisoned. When the final assault to the fortress started, he was able to escape his imprisonment and join his comrades.
He served again under the Pope as a colonel for a short time, but returned to the Spanish army when the Second War of Naples between the Catholic King Fernando II and Louis XII of France. This war was to be the apex of García de Paredes’ career as a soldier, impressing his comrades-in-arm and instilling fear in the French troops.
When he proposed a simulated retreat to defeat the French, The Great Captain misunderstood his strategy and told him:
“Don’t put fear in me, for God did not put it”.
Hurt by his friend’s reproach, García de Paredes took his sword and fought 2,000 French soldiers at the entrance of a bridge, decided to make his way to the other side of the river and fight the rest of the army even if he had to do it alone. Reinforcements came to help him, but the difference in numbers was overwhelming and they were forced to retreat. Even so, it’s said that he alone managed to kill a total of 500 soldiers.
Besides a soldier, García de Paredes was also known to be an invincible duelist, having won over 300 duels of any kind without losing once. The most popular anecdote regarding his duels was the Challenge of Barletta, in which he and another 10 elite soldiers were chosen to have a duel against the French paladins, captained by Pierre Terrail. Though he initially refused to fight so that he could recover from his wounds, he was convinced by The Great Captain to join the tournament. After five hours, the French recognized that the Spanish were “good knights”, what satisfied the latter. However, García de Paredes only conceived absolute victory, and dared to kill the French knights by hurling the rocks that limited the battlefield, since his weapons were broken. The French ran away from the field, what would mean victory for Spain, but the referees decided to settle the challenge as a draw.
Diego García de Paredes returned to Spain as a national hero acclaimed by everyone, but he couldn’t stand how the nobles defamed his dear friend, The Great Captain. So offended he felt for seeing his friend insulted and avoided despite his fidelity to his country, that he interrupted the king’s prayers and, after a heated speech, threw his glove and defied him and anyone else that had the courage to do so. The king told him to wait until he finished praying, and once he finished, he returned the soldier his glove and said he felt assured with The Great Captain and him defending him, and that he was a good friend. Indeed, once The Great Captain knew about this, his friendship with García de Paredes became stronger than ever.
After many actions done by the king to satisfy the nobles, García de Paredes felt uncomfortable serving Spain and became a pirate. One year later, he was forgiven, and participated as a soldier of Christ in the Crusade of Cisneros at the north of Africa. He obtained more and more fame, reaching the title of Colonel of the Holy League at the service of the Pope Julius II. He spent his final days as a soldier in the escort of king Carlos I of Spain and V of Germany, who named him Knight of the Golden Spur. Having been tempered in countless battles, Fate had the whim of making him die not in the battlefield, but by falling off his horse while playing with some children. Even so, the name of Diego García de Paredes remains as a token of might and courage even now.
Related characters
Heracles, Achilles, etc.
I’m aware of my own strength and I’m proud of it, but even I know that I would lose against them in a duel. I cannot hope to compete with such big names.
Gaius Julius Caesar
I’ve read all of your work, O’ Caesar! You truly were a source of inspiration for me!
Gareth
Joust? If it is a duel what you want, then I’ll be your opponent. I won’t hold back no matter who you are!
Benkei
You acted as a living wall to hold the enemy army? Now that’s impressive! It reminds me of that time at the bridge. Hm, I wonder if I would have died if the reinforcements didn’t come…