García Ramírez of Navarre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids García Ramírez |
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| King of Pamplona | |
| Reign | 1134 – 1150 |
| Predecessor | Alfonso |
| Successor | Sancho VI |
| Born | c. 1112 |
| Died | 21 November 1150 Yerri |
| Consort | |
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| House | House of Jiménez |
| Father | Ramiro Sánchez |
| Mother | Cristina Rodríguez |
| Religion | Catholicism |
García Ramírez (born around 1112, died November 21, 1150) was the King of Navarre from 1134 until his death. He is sometimes called García IV, V, VI, or VII. He was also known as the Restorer because his election brought back Navarre's independence. Before García, Navarre had been politically joined with the Kingdom of Aragon for 58 years.
After some early disagreements, King García became an ally of King Alfonso VII of León and Castile. As an ally, he helped in the Reconquista, which was the effort to take back land from Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Family
García Ramírez was born around 1112. His father was Ramiro Sánchez, who was the lord of Monzón. Ramiro's father, Sancho, was an illegitimate son of King García Sánchez III of Navarre.
García's mother was Cristina. She was the daughter of a famous nobleman from Castile named Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, also known as El Cid. García took over as lord of Monzón after his father and also controlled the area of Logroño.
In 1134, a big problem arose over who would be the next king of Navarre and Aragon. For many years, Navarre had been ruled by the kings of Aragon. This happened after King Sancho IV of Navarre was murdered in 1076.
When King Alfonso the Battler of Navarre and Aragon died in 1134 without children, there was a dispute over who should rule. Alfonso had left his kingdoms in an unusual will to three crusading groups. This made it hard for the Pope to choose a new ruler.
The nobles of Aragon wanted Alfonso's younger brother, Ramiro, who was a monk. However, the nobles of Navarre wanted their kingdom to be independent again. They were worried about Ramiro's ability to protect Navarre from King Alfonso VII of León and Castile, who also claimed the throne.
At first, some Navarrese nobles supported Pedro de Atarés. But Pedro was very arrogant. So, the bishops and nobles of Navarre chose García Ramírez instead. He was from their own royal family. He was then elected king by the nobles and clergy of Navarre. Ramiro, however, became king of Aragon and did not agree with García's election in Navarre.
Alliances and Conflicts
To help García fund his new government, the Bishop of Pamplona gave him money from the church. In January 1135, García and Ramiro made an agreement called the Pact of Vadoluengo. They agreed that García would be like a "son" and Ramiro like a "father." This helped keep both kingdoms separate but also showed Aragon's stronger position.
In May 1135, García decided to become a vassal of Alfonso VII of León and Castile. This meant he recognized Alfonso as his lord. In return, Alfonso recognized García as the King of Navarre and offered protection. This alliance also meant Navarre would join Castile against Aragon.
Around 1135, Alfonso VII gave García control of Zaragoza. This city had recently been taken from Aragon. It was a way for Castile to have influence in the east. However, in 1136, Alfonso had to give Zaragoza back to Ramiro. By 1137, Zaragoza was given to Raymond Berengar, though Alfonso still had some power over it.
Marriages and Children
García Ramírez married Margaret of L'Aigle sometime after 1130. They had a son and successor, Sancho VI. They also had two daughters who later married kings.
Their elder daughter, Blanche, was born after 1133. She was supposed to marry Raymond Berengar IV, but García died before this happened. Instead, she married Sancho III of Castile. Their younger daughter, Margaret, married William I of Sicily.
On June 24, 1144, García married Urraca in León. Urraca was the daughter of Alfonso VII. This marriage helped make García's alliance with Alfonso even stronger.
Later Reign and Death
In 1136, García had to give up the region of Rioja to Castile. But in 1137, he formed an alliance with Alfonso I of Portugal and faced Alfonso VII. They made peace between 1139 and 1140.
After that, García was a strong ally of Castile in the Reconquista. He played an important role in the conquest of Almería in 1147. In 1146, he took control of Tauste, which belonged to Aragon. Alfonso VII then stepped in to help make peace between Navarre and Aragon.
King García died on November 21, 1150, in Lorca, near Estella. He was buried in the cathedral of Santa María la Real in Pamplona. His eldest son, Sancho VI, became the next king.
García's legacy includes the monastery of Santa María de la Oliva in Carcastillo. It is a beautiful example of Romanesque architecture.
Family
García Ramírez married Margaret of L'Aigle. They had four children:
- Sancho Garcés, known as the Wise. He became King of Navarre in 1150. He was the first king to use the title "of Navarre." He married Sancha of Castile.
- Blanche. She married Sancho III of Castile, King of Castile, in 1151.
- Margaret. She married William I, King of Sicily, and later ruled as Queen regent of Sicily.
- Rodrigo, later called Henry. His sister Margaret made him Count of Montescaglioso.
On June 24, 1144, García married Urraca of Castile. She was the daughter of King Alfonso VII of León and Castile. They had one daughter:
- Sancha (born 1148, died 1176). She married Gaston V of Béarn and later Pedro Manrique de Lara.
Images for kids
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King García Ramírez
See also
In Spanish: García Ramírez de Pamplona para niños
