Ermengol I, Count of Urgell facts for kids

Ermengol I (born 974, died 1010) was an important leader. He was the Count of Urgell from 992 until his death. People sometimes called him el de Córdoba. Ermengol was the second son of Count Borrell II of Barcelona. He was also famous for his part in the Reconquista. This was a long effort to take back lands from the Moors in Spain.

A Count with Big Ideas

Ermengol was a very cultured person. He was open to new ideas from all over Europe. He even traveled to Rome twice, in 998 and 1001. He also encouraged his nobles to go on important religious journeys. These trips were to places like Santiago de Compostela or Le Puy.

Ermengol also worked to make his county better. He changed the way justice was handled. This made it easier for everyone to get fair treatment. He also started to take back control of castles. Some castle lords had been acting too independently.

Fighting for His Land

Count Ermengol was also busy fighting. He led many battles against the Caliphate of Córdoba. In 1003, Urgell was attacked by Abd al-Malik al-Muzaffar. Ermengol got help from his brother, Ramon Borrell of Barcelona. He also had help from Bernard I of Besalú and Wifred II of Cerdagne.

They defeated the attackers at the Battle of Torà. Then they fought another tough battle at Battle of Albesa. Later, Ermengol was captured by Abd al-Malik. But he was set free by March 1004. In 1008, he led more successful trips against the Moors.

In 1010, Ermengol joined his brother Ramon Borrell. They went on a big trip to attack Córdoba itself. Ermengol died near there, at Castell de Bacar. His will was written around 1010. It has one of the first mentions of chess in Western Europe.

His Family

Before July 10, 1000, Ermengol married a woman named Tetberga. She likely died between 1005. After that, Ermengol married his second wife, Guisla. Her family is not fully known. She was still alive in 1010.

Ermengol and Guisla had two children:

• Ermengol II – He became the next Count of Urgell.
• Ermesinda – She married Raymond III of Pallars Jussà.

See also

In Spanish: Armengol I de Urgel para niños