García Íñiguez of Pamplona facts for kids

García Íñiguez I (also known as García I) was the second king of Pamplona. He ruled from about 851 or 852 until his death in 882. García was the son of Íñigo Arista, who was the very first king of Pamplona. García was educated in Cordoba. He was a strong military leader who helped lead the kingdom's armies during his father's later years.

The Life of King García Íñiguez

García was the son of Íñigo Arista, the first king of a Basque family that ruled Pamplona. García grew up in Córdoba, where he was a guest at the court of the Emir of Córdoba, a powerful Muslim ruler.

In 842, García's father became very ill and couldn't rule. So, García became the regent of the kingdom. This meant he ruled in his father's place. He might have shared this job with his uncle, Fortún Íñiguez.

In 843, García and his relative, Mūsā ibn Mūsā, rebelled against the Emir of Córdoba. However, the Emir, Abd ar-Rahman II, quickly stopped this rebellion. He attacked Pamplona, badly defeating García and killing his uncle Fortún.

When his father died around 851 or 852, García officially became the King of Pamplona.

Alliances and Battles

After his father's death, Mūsā ibn Mūsā, the leader of the Banu Qasi family, decided to become closer allies with Muhammad I of Córdoba, another emir. This left King García to find new friends among the Christian kingdoms, like Asturias.

In 859, a group of Vikings captured King García. This probably happened far from his kingdom, perhaps in southern Spain. They demanded a huge payment, or ransom, of about 70,000 gold coins to let him go.

Later that same year, Mūsā ibn Mūsā attacked the city of Albelda in Pamplona. King García and his new ally, Ordoño I of Asturias, joined forces. They fought Mūsā in a major battle called the Battle of Albelda. It is said they defeated Mūsā badly, killing many of his soldiers.

This victory made Mohammed I of Córdoba angry. The next year, in 860, Mohammed I captured García's son and heir, Fortún. Fortún was held prisoner in Córdoba for the next 20 years.

In 870, King García made an alliance with a Muslim rebel named Amrūs ibn Umar ibn Amrūs. The next year, he also seemed to be allied with the sons of Mūsā ibn Mūsā, who were now rebelling against Córdoba.

Historians believe King García died in 882. He likely fought a battle near Aibar against the Emir of Córdoba's troops and died there.

King García's Family

Historians are not completely sure about the identity of King García's wife or wives. One old document mentions King García and Queen Urraca Mayor. Many believe this Urraca was his wife.

King García had several children:

• Fortún Garcés: He became king of Pamplona after his father, ruling from 870 to 905. He was married to a woman named Auria.
• Onneca Garcés: She married Count Aznar Galíndez II of Aragon.
• Sancho Garcés: He was the father of Aznar Sánchez de Larraun. Aznar later married his cousin, Onneca Fortúnez. Sancho may also have been the father of Velazquita, who married Mutarrif ibn Musa.

King García might also have been the father of Jimena. She married King Alfonso III of Asturias between 873 and 874. Her high status suggests she came from a very important family in Pamplona.

Sources

See also

In Spanish: García Íñiguez de Pamplona para niños