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Has there been any research on Lope Ruiz de Esparza's ancestors?
I am beginning to dig into this family, and I found a book on google that mentions a Lope de Esparza from Navarra. This is the link: http://books.google.com/books?id=qxAvAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA127&dq=lope+ruiz+de+esparza&hl=en&sa=X&ei=vhLnU8umCsObyATf5oC4Bg&ved=0CEwQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=lope%20ruiz%20de%20esparza&f=false
It looks like a compilation of verses that deal with the conquest of Valencia from the Moors, and I wonder if this refers to an ancestor of our Ruiz de Esparza. Granted, this took place in the 1200's but I just found it interesting. Here's the translation of the verse:
Lope de Esparza noble capitan de la guardia Real, vino desde Navarra con su muger e hijos a la conquista de esta ciudad: pintaba en su escudo un sol de oro, atravesado de una flecha, sobre campo verde. Acredito su heroico valor en la accion de la Boatella, donde el Rey D. Jaime fue herido de una saeta; e interpuso su autoridad para que se retirara, y lo llevo a su tienda para curarlo: por lo que agradecido el Rey, le dio a Benafer, libre de todo pecho.
Steve in NC