Bermudo Núñez facts for kids

Bermudo Núñez (who died around 955) was a powerful noble from the Kingdom of León. He was the very first Count of Cea. We first hear about him in 921 when he confirmed a gift to a monastery. This makes us think he was probably born in the late 800s.

Bermudo was very loyal to the kings of León. He helped them by confirming many royal documents. By 950, he was known as a Count. From 939 onwards, he governed the area around the Cea River. This meant he was like a local ruler for the king.

He likely played an important part in the Battle of Simancas. After the Leonese army won this battle, Bermudo worked with his brother, Oveco Núñez. Oveco was the Bishop of León. Together, they helped to resettle people in the city of Salamanca. This process was called repoblación.

Who was Bermudo's family?

We don't know for sure who Bermudo Núñez's parents were. But there are a few ideas!

One idea: A royal connection

Some historians, like Margarita Torres Sevilla-Quiñones de León, think he might have been the son of Nuño Ordóñez. Nuño was a son of King Ordoño I of Asturias and brother of King Alfonso III of Asturias. If this is true, it would explain why Bermudo's family became so important and close to the royal house.

Another idea: From the Basque region

Another idea comes from a family historian named Jaime de Salazar y Acha. He suggests that Bermudo's father was Nuño Vélaz (or Vela). This Nuño Vélaz was the son of Vela Jiménez, who was a Count in Álava. This connection would explain why some family members later had names that sounded Basque or Navarrese.

Bermudo's siblings

Bermudo had several brothers and a sister. His brother, Bishop Oveco Núñez, mentioned them in a document from 945. He confirmed gifts made by King Ramiro II of León to a monastery. Bermudo's brothers named in this document were Vela, Suero, Munio, and Nuño Núñez.

The document also mentioned some of their children. Fernando Bermúdez, Bermudo's son, was one of them. Bermudo also had a sister named Gontrodo. She married Ansur Fernández, who was the Count of Monzón. Gontrodo and Ansur were the parents of Queen Teresa Ansúrez. Queen Teresa later married King Sancho I of León.

Bermudo's marriages and children

Count Bermudo Núñez was married two times.

First marriage to Argilo

His first wife was named Argilo. They had five children together:

• Froiloba Bermúdez: She was the oldest child. She married Muño Flaínez before the year 947.
• Fernando Bermúdez: He died in 978. Fernando became the second Count of Cea. He inherited this title from his father and also from his uncle, Bishop Oveco.
• Piniolo Bermúdez: He confirmed a gift his father made in 949. His brothers Fernando and Jimena also confirmed this gift.
• Jimena Bermúdez
• Vela Bermúdez: He died after March 976. Vela was the father of Argilo, Nuño, and Count Bermudo Vela.

Second marriage to Velasquita

Between 947 and 949, Bermudo married his second wife, Velasquita. They had two sons:

• Álvaro Bermúdez
• Oveco Bermúdez

See also

In Spanish: Bermudo Núñez para niños