Bera, Count of Barcelona facts for kids

The changing territory of Bera throughout his reign.

Bera was the first Count of Barcelona, ruling from 801 until 820. He also governed other areas like Razès and Conflent starting in 790. Later, he became the count of Girona and Besalú around 812. Bera was an important figure during the time of Charlemagne, the powerful Frankish emperor.

Who Was Bera?

Bera's early life isn't fully known, but he was most likely a Visigoth. The Visigoths were a Germanic people who had settled in Spain. Some historians think he might have been a son of William of Gellone, who was a Count of Toulouse and a cousin of Charlemagne. In 790, Bera was given control of the areas of Razès and Conflent. This was possibly arranged by William.

Becoming Count of Barcelona

In 796, the ruler of Barcelona, Sa'dun al Ruayni, wanted to break away from the emir of Córdoba. He traveled to Aachen to ask Charlemagne for help, offering to make Barcelona part of Charlemagne's empire.

In 800, Charlemagne's son, Louis the Pious, led an army to Barcelona. Sa'dun had changed his mind, so the Frankish army began to surround the city. Eventually, the people inside Barcelona were starving. Sa'dun was captured while trying to get help. On April 3, 801, the city surrendered. The next day, Louis entered Barcelona. Soon after, Bera, who was part of the army, was made the first Count of Barcelona.

Frankish Campaigns: Pushing the Border

Bera took part in several Frankish military campaigns in 804, 808, and 809. The goal was to expand the southern border of the Marca Hispanica (a border region of the Frankish Empire) to the River Ebro. The Franks believed the Ebro River would be a strong natural defense. Interestingly, Bera's Visigoth mother wanted him to keep peace with the Muslim states to the south.

First Try: The 804 Expedition

In 804, Louis the Pious led an army towards Tarragona. The army split into two groups. Louis went directly to Tortosa, while Bera, along with other counts, covered Louis's side and attacked Tortosa from the south. Bera's army crossed the Ebro River but was eventually forced to turn back. They then rejoined Louis's troops, who had not been able to capture Tortosa. The army returned to Barcelona.

More Attempts: The 808 and 809 Expeditions

In 808, Charlemagne sent a messenger to Louis to plan another expedition. The plan was similar to the 804 campaign. Bera and another count, Adhemar, crossed the Ebro River by boat, while their horses swam. However, horse droppings floating down the river alerted the guards in Tortosa. The city's ruler attacked Bera, forcing him to retreat.

In 809, Louis led his last expedition as King of Aquitaine. This time, the army had siege engines and surrounded Tortosa for 40 days. However, the new Emir of Cordoba, Abd ar-Rahman II, arrived with an army. Some records say the Muslims won, while others say the people of Tortosa offered Louis the city's keys, and he left.

Seeking Peace: The First Truce

Bera likely wanted peace with Córdoba. This would help him strengthen his power in his new territories. His mother also advised him to seek peace, and the people of Barcelona wanted good relations with nearby Muslim states. The Frankish court eventually signed a three-year peace treaty with the Caliphate of Córdoba in 812.

In 812, Bera's father died, and Bera inherited the areas of Razès and Conflent. Following his father's example, Bera gave control of these areas to his own son, Guillemundus.

Around this time, Bera also traveled to Charlemagne's court in Aachen. Some Visigoth nobles had accused the Frankish counts of being unfair and charging too many taxes. Charlemagne decided in favor of the Visigoth nobles.

A New Truce and Bera's Downfall

Around 813, Count Odilo of Girona and Besalú died, and Bera took control of these areas as well.

In 815, the peace treaty with the Caliphate ended, and fighting with the Muslims started again. A Muslim army attacked Barcelona. However, a Visigothic mercenary army successfully fought them off. This victory made Bera more popular with the local Visigoth nobles. In 816, the ruler of Zaragoza traveled to Aachen and negotiated a new three-year peace treaty, which was agreed upon in February 817.

However, not everyone agreed with Bera's desire for peace. Other counts, like Gaucelm and his brother Bernard, argued that the truce was bad for the Empire. They felt it stopped them from forcing the Basques and Aragón to become loyal to the Frankish Empire.

In February 820, a big meeting was held in Aachen, and Bera was there. The disagreement was settled by a duel, a common way to resolve disputes back then. Bera lost the duel. This meant he lost his counties. However, Emperor Louis I believed Bera was not a traitor. Instead of the death penalty, Louis sent Bera into exile in Rouen. Bera stayed there until he died in 844. Rampon became the new Count of Barcelona.

See also

In Spanish: Bera para niños