García Jiménez of Pamplona facts for kids

García Jiménez was a king who ruled a part of Pamplona (which later became the Kingdom of Navarre) in the late 800s. He was believed to be the son of a man named Jimeno.

The Jiménez dynasty, García's family, eventually became the main rulers of Navarre. But at first, they controlled a different area of the kingdom compared to the family of Iñigo Arista. García Jiménez likely took over his father's role. This happened either when King García Íñiguez was still alive or during the time of his son, King Fortún Garcés. An old book called the Códice de Roda even calls García Jiménez a "king" of "another part of the kingdom" of Pamplona.

Was He a Regent?

There isn't much proof that García Jiménez played a big role in running the entire kingdom. However, some historians think he did. In 860, Fortún Garcés, who was the son of King García Íñiguez and next in line for the throne, was captured and held in Córdoba for 20 years.

King García Íñiguez is traditionally thought to have died in 870. This would mean there was a 10-year period where no one was officially ruling the kingdom before Fortún returned. Because of this, some people believe García Jiménez might have been a regent. A regent is someone who rules a kingdom when the king is too young, sick, or away. He might have been regent until he died in a battle at Aybar in 882. This battle was against the Emir of Córdoba, a powerful ruler from the south. Because of this possible role, he is sometimes called García II.

However, another idea is that García Íñiguez himself was the one who died in the 882 battle. If that's true, then there was no time when the kingdom was without a ruler. Also, there are mentions of a man named Sancho (who was probably Fortún's younger brother) being a lord or "king" in Pamplona during the 860s and 870s.

García Jiménez's Family

The Códice de Roda tells us that García Jiménez was married twice.

First Marriage

His first wife was named Oneca, who was known as "Rebel of Sangüesa." They had two children:

• Íñigo: He is called "king" in the Códice de Roda when it talks about his marriage to a granddaughter of Fortún Garcés. This might mean he took over his father's smaller kingdom, or perhaps "king" was just an important title given to him.
• Sancha: She first married Íñigo Fortúnez, who was the son of King Fortún Garcés of Pamplona. Later, she married Galindo Aznárez II, who was a Count of Aragon.

Second Marriage

García Jiménez's second wife was Dadildis de Pallars. She was the sister of Count Raymond I of Pallars and Ribagorza. They had two sons:

• Sancho I: He later became the only king of Pamplona, ruling the entire kingdom.
• Jimeno: He helped teach his nephew García Sánchez and ruled as a regent until he died on May 29, 931.

See also

In Spanish: García Jiménez de Pamplona para niños