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defensor of Santa María la Real Monastery
Santa María la Real is a small but important monastery. It was one of the two Cluniac monasteries beyond the Pyrenees. Therefore it has links not only to the Pope, but also to the most important monastery in Europe, albeit it's slightly in decline at this time. The monastery has an important political role in the negotiations between Castile, Navarre and France.
Martin Rodríguez was born to a wealthy bourgeois family from Nájera, a small town adjanced to the monastery. He was bequeathed as a child as an oblate with a large gift to the monastery. He was brought up there and then ordained a deacon. On reaching the age of majority, he chose to withdraw from the order. With the consent of the Abbot of Cluny, Martin was placed by the Bishop of Logroño to administer the ecclesiastical estates under the monastery, administered by the authority of the bishop. Martin became the defensor of Santa Maria la Real Monastery.
Martin is an able administrator and politician. He is also quite well educated in theology, especially in the education that falls under Liber divina. However, he is not much devoted to the Church. He has had a number of mistresses, and has never taken much trouble to observe the various duties expected of him, except for the administration of the Church properties. He participates in the Church as a politician.
When don de Haro set out for the Kingdom of Bohemia, Bishop Miguel Romero de Yanguas sent Martin with him. On the way, Martin met with the Abbot of Cluny to negotiate better terms for the bishop.
Martin continues with Don de Haro to Bohemia, where he is tasked with representing the interests of the Abbot of Cluny at the court of the new King John. He now spends time with Don de Haro as his companion at the court of Queen Elisabeth Richenza.