following jerez, the lower andalusian towns of lebrija, arcos, and medina-sidonia also fell to the rebels. the nearby castle of matrera, held by the knights of calatrava, was successfully defended by the garrison. in murcia, the city of murcia itself fell, as well as galera, but orihuela was successfully defended by the royal forces. murcia's muslims ousted the city's royal garrison, and declared allegiance to muhammad i, who appointed abu muhammad ibn ashqilula to be governor. alfonso's father-in-law, james i of aragon, wrote that "three hundred cities, great towns and castles" were captured by the rebels and that alfonso and queen violant escaped an assassination attempt in the capital, seville. however, alfonso did not mention any assassination attempt, and james' account might have been an exaggeration.