Diego Gelmírez, Bishop of Compostela and the count of Traba, had crowned six-year-old Alfonso King of Galicia in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in 1111.

His mother, having two years earlier succeeded to the united throne of León-Castile-Galicia, wished to assure her son's prospects and groom him for his eventual succession.

By 1125, he had inherited the formerly Muslim Kingdom of Toledo.

On March 10, 1126, after the death of his mother, he had been crowned in León and immediately began the recovery of the Kingdom of Castile, which was then under the domination of Alfonso the Battler.

By the Peace of Támara of 1127, the Battler recognizes Alfonso VII of Castile.

The territory in the far east of his dominion, however, had gained much independence during the rule of his mother and experienced many rebellions.

After his recognition in Castile, Alfonso fights to curb the autonomy of the local barons.