Lieres (Siero) - Origin and History

Origin and History

Lieres was first documented in history in 1385 in the Book Becerro of the Cathedral of San Salvador in Oviedo. The bishop ordered a census of all properties, jurisdiction of mitra, church constitutions, etc. as well as a state in which they appear. Diocesano inventoried all the churches in their area. The church of Santa Maria de El Moldano in Lieres was included. In 1771, it was changed to St. Maria Lieres.

Lieres re-emerged in the 16th century in the book of healing at Oviedo's Cathedral.

By the 19th century, Spain, including Lieres and Asturias suffered through two wars. This included the loss of Spanish colonies in the Americas, and the Spanish War of Independence, the war that led to the French invasion in May 1808. Early on, the residents of Siero participated in the conflict brought on by the Spanish War of Independence. In December 1808, the Siero Regiment was established, including 27 officers and 585 soldiers. In the days beginning on March 19, 1809, Marshal Michel Ney and his army seized La Pola. The French army plundered the area, causing serious damage, several deaths, and desolation among the people. In 1810, there was a new invasion of the principality, its mission to seize the capital. It lasted one year and included a battle at the bridge Colloto. There were many acts of vandalism by the French army troops. This instigated guerrilla resistance groups, the most notable being "The Nietu" of La Pola, the "Fombellida" in Valdesoto, and the "Jerome" (or "The Xastre").

In May 1812, during the Battle of Salamanca, General Bonet, deputy commander under Marshal Auguste de Marmont, suffered significant casualties with the systematic aggression of the guerrillas of Asturias, which lead Bonet to abandon the region and continue the fight on other fronts. Municipal documents created in 1813 did not record any casualties in Lieres as, if casualties had been documented, the widows would have to have been compensated with lifelong pensions.