The town that opened its gates to conquer a capital
In short: In 1368, a local resident named Domingo Muñoz played a pivotal role in the fate of Madrid. By opening the city gates for Henry II of Castile, he enabled the Trastámara forces to enter and seize control. This act of cooperation helped secure one of Spain's most significant medieval conquests.
Alfonso X of Castile oversaw the creation of 'Legamar' in 1280. People from adjacent areas moved there to avoid diseases and stinking smells produced by local lagoons. These settlers chose a site near a silt deposit, which eventually gave the town its name through linguistic evolution.
The municipality’s relationship with Madrid has been complex throughout history. For nearly three centuries following 1345, Leganés was incorporated as a village under Madrid's jurisdiction. Because it sat within five leagues of the capital, it was classified as a village of royal demesne, operating primarily under a feudal economy focused on subsistence agriculture.
A major shift occurred in 1627 when King Philip IV established the March of Leganés. This decree granted the town independence from Madrid and placed it under noble jurisdiction, specifically under Diego Mexía Felípez de Guzmán, the Viscount of Butarque. For over two hundred years, the Marquis held near-total authority to appoint officials, set taxes, and administer justice until feudal privileges were finally abolished in 1820.
The town's history is also marked by military occupation and local sacrifice. During the Spanish War of Independence (1808–1812), Napoleonic troops occupied the Royal Walloon Guards Barracks. In a somber moment of local history, two brothers—Leandro and Julián Rejón—were executed by firing squad in the barracks' courtyard after being accused of participating in the Dos de Mayo Uprising.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Leganés
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