Ermengol I, Count of Urgell, is a man of culture, open to influences from wider Europe.

He has made two voyages to Rome, in 998 and 1001, and has stimulated his nobles to make pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela or Le Puy.

He has also reformed the judiciary of his county to make justice more universally available.

Moreover, he has begun to reassert his authority over the outlying castles of his realm, whose lords are acting independent of his power.

He also maintains an intense war against the Caliphate of Córdoba.

In 1003, Urgell is invaded by Abd al-Malik al-Muzaffar.

Aided by Raymond Borrel of Barcelona, Bernard I of Besalú, and Wifred II of Cerdagne, Ermengol defeats them at the Battle of Torà, followed by …