Berenguer Ramon II, Count of Barcelona facts for kids

Berenguer Ramon II (born around 1053 or 1054, died 1097 or 1099) was a powerful ruler, known as the Count of Barcelona. He ruled from 1076 to 1097. He was the son of Count Ramon Berenguer I and Almodis of La Marche. He first shared power with his twin brother, Ramon Berenguer II.

Life as Count of Barcelona

Berenguer Ramon was born around 1053 or 1054. When his father, Ramon Berenguer I, passed away in 1076, Berenguer Ramon became count. He was meant to rule alongside his twin brother, Ramon Berenguer II.

However, the twin brothers found it hard to work together. In 1079, Pope Gregory VII even asked them to make peace. To solve their disagreements, they decided to divide their lands. They also agreed to take turns living in the palace in Barcelona every six months. This first plan did not work out, so they made a second agreement in December 1080.

Two years later, on December 5, 1082, Ramon Berenguer II was killed while hunting. Berenguer Ramon II then became the only ruler of Catalonia for the next four years. Many people suspected he was involved in his brother's death. This led to a civil war, which made Barcelona's power weaker. In 1086, a new agreement was reached. Berenguer Ramon continued to rule Barcelona. He acted as a regent, or temporary ruler, for his brother's young son, Ramon Berenguer III. Ramon Berenguer III was only four years old at the time. He began to be called "count" in official papers by 1089.

Conflicts with El Cid

In the 1080s, Berenguer Ramon got involved in fights within the Moorish kingdoms. This led to clashes with a famous warrior named El Cid. El Cid had offered his service to the Count of Barcelona in 1081, but was refused. In the wars that followed, Berenguer Ramon was captured twice.

After the death of Ahmad al-Muqtadir in 1081 or 1082, Berenguer Ramon teamed up with al-Muqtadir's younger son, Mundhir al-Hajib. Their goal was to take Zaragoza from his older brother, Yusuf al-Mu’taman. Berenguer Ramon and al-Hajib surrounded a town called Almenar. There, El Cid attacked and defeated them. Berenguer and his knights were captured. They were taken to al-Mu’taman and later released after a payment.

By 1090, al-Hajib and Berenguer had tried several times to conquer Valencia. Valencia was ruled by Yahya al-Qadir, who was a vassal of Alfonso VI of León and Castile. Berenguer Ramon and al-Hajib had attacked the countryside and tried to surround Valencia in 1088 and 1089. But El Cid, who was now outlawed, again stood in their way the next year.

El Cid collected payments from al-Qadir and al-Hajib. This led to a group forming against El Cid. This group included Alfonso, Berenguer, Sancho Ramírez of Navarre, and al-Musta’in II of Zaragoza. However, this group quickly broke apart. Berenguer was left to challenge El Cid alone.

Berenguer marched his army and set up camp near the Tévar mountains. El Cid had also camped nearby. Both men tried to provoke each other with letters. Berenguer accused El Cid of attacking churches. El Cid reminded the count of his defeat in 1082. In the battle that followed, El Cid's forces broke through. They defeated and captured the count a second time. After his release, Berenguer went to Zaragoza. There, al-Musta’in helped them make peace through letters.

Attacks on Tortosa

In 1089, Pope Urban II wanted to take back the archbishopric of Tarragona from the Muslims. He promised forgiveness of sins to anyone who helped. Berenguer Ramon took on this task in 1090. He agreed to pay a tribute to the Pope. He also agreed to let the Pope have power over Barcelona's lands. This might have been because Bishop Berenguer of Vic, who later became archbishop of Tarragona, pressured him.

Three years later, Berenguer Ramon launched a campaign against Tortosa. He wanted to secure the lands around the newly settled Tarragona. He also wanted to expand the county of Barcelona. This campaign was not successful. Four hundred ships from Genoa and Pisa helped with the siege.

Death and Succession

After Berenguer Ramon stepped down in 1097, less is known about his life. He was still facing accusations about his brother's death. It is possible he lost a trial by combat at the court of Alfonso VI. He then joined his half-brother Raymond of Saint-Gilles on the First Crusade. This might have been a way to make up for his past. It is possible he died at the walls of Jerusalem in 1099. Berenguer Ramon II was succeeded by his nephew, Ramon Berenguer III. Ramon Berenguer III was the son of Ramon Berenguer II.

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See also

In Spanish: Berenguer Ramón II para niños