Bermudo III of León facts for kids

Bermudo III (born around 1015, died September 4, 1037) was the king of León from 1028 until his death. He was the son of Alfonso V of León and Elvira Menéndez. Bermudo was the last king from the Astur-Leonese dynasty to rule the Kingdom of León.

When he became king, Bermudo was still a child. He sometimes used important titles like emperor. In 1034, King Sancho III of Pamplona forced him off his throne. Bermudo had to hide in Galicia. He later got his power back. But he was defeated and killed in the battle of Tamarón. This battle was against his brother-in-law, Ferdinand of Castile.

Bermudo's Early Reign

Signature of Bermudo III

Bermudo III became king of León in 1027. He was the son of King Alfonso V. His mother was Elvira Menéndez. Bermudo married Jimena Sánchez. She was the daughter of King Sancho III of Pamplona.

In 1029, an important event happened. Count García Sánchez of Castile was going to marry Sancha of León. Sancha was Bermudo's older sister. This marriage was planned by King Sancho III of Pamplona. But the count was murdered in the city of León. He was killed by a group of nobles from Castile. These nobles had been forced to leave their own country. They had found safety in León.

Disputes and Conflicts

After the count's murder, León and Navarre argued. They both wanted control over the county of Castile. King Sancho III of Pamplona was married to Muniadona. She was the murdered count's sister. Sancho claimed Castile for his wife. He made their son, Ferdinand, the new count of Castile.

Sancho also took land between the Cea and the Pisuerga rivers. This land was very close to León's capital. It had been a cause of arguments between León and Castile for a long time. In 1032, Sancho of Pamplona made his son Ferdinand marry Sancha of León. This was Bermudo's sister. The disputed lands then became part of Castile as Sancha's dowry.

Losing and Regaining the Throne

In 1034, King Sancho took the city of León from Bermudo. Bermudo was his son-in-law. Bermudo had to retreat to Galicia. By the time Sancho died in 1035, Navarre controlled much of the land north of the Duero river.

After Sancho's death, Bermudo III was welcomed back into León. He quickly started a campaign to get back the land between the Cea and Pisuerga rivers. This land had been taken by Castile and his brother-in-law Ferdinand.

Battle and Legacy

Bermudo III was killed at the Battle of Tamarón on September 4, 1037. He was only about 22 years old. Studies of his remains suggest he might have died from spears or pikes. This happened after he fell from his horse during the battle.

Bermudo died without any children who could take his place. So, the kingdom of León recognized Sancha and her husband Ferdinand as its new rulers. Ferdinand was crowned king in León on June 22, 1038. The combined kingdoms of León and Castile became very important. They formed the main Christian power in northern Spain.

Family

The tomb of Bermudo III of León in Nájera.

Bermudo had one child with his wife Jimena. Their son was named Alfonso. He was born and died in 1030.

See also

• Labio Castle