García Sánchez I of Pamplona facts for kids

García Sánchez I (in Basque: Gartzea I.a Santxez) was the king of Pamplona from 925 until he died in 970. He was born around 919. García was the second king from the Jiménez dynasty. He became king when he was only six years old, after his father passed away.

The Young King of Pamplona

García Sánchez I was the son of Sancho I of Pamplona and Toda Aznárez. He became king in 925 when he was just six years old. Because he was so young, his uncle, Jimeno Garcés of Pamplona, and his mother, Toda, helped him rule the kingdom. They acted as his guardians.

García had several sisters who married important kings and counts. Three of his sisters married kings from the Kingdom of León. This created strong family ties between Pamplona and the other Christian kingdoms in Spain. These connections were very important. They helped Pamplona become more powerful. Soldiers from Pamplona often fought alongside those from León and Castile. They worked together against their common enemy, the Muslim forces.

Queen Toda's Clever Plans

When García's uncle and guardian, Jimeno Garcés, died in 931, another uncle might have tried to take the throne. But García's mother, Queen Toda, was very smart. She sought help from her nephew, Abd al-Rahman III, who was the powerful leader (Caliph) of the Muslim empire of Córdoba.

In 934, Abd al-Rahman III was leading his army towards Pamplona. Toda sent a message to him, reminding him they were family. She wanted him to protect her and her son. She also wanted him to officially recognize García as the rightful king. This would stop anyone else from trying to take García's crown.

Abd al-Rahman III agreed to help, but he had conditions. Toda had to meet him in person. She also had to agree to stop supporting other Christian rulers against the Muslims. She had to let his armies pass through Pamplona safely. Toda agreed to all his demands. In return, Abd al-Rahman III officially gave García control of Pamplona and its lands. This agreement helped secure García's rule.

Battles and Alliances

In 937, King García joined forces with Ramiro II of León and a Muslim governor from Zaragoza. This led to more fighting with Abd al-Rahman III. A big battle happened in July 939, called the Battle of Simancas. King García fought alongside Ramiro II and Fernán González of Castile. The Christian armies won a major victory against the Caliph's forces.

After this defeat, Abd al-Rahman III wanted to attack again. But he decided to negotiate for peace instead. A truce, or temporary peace agreement, was made. This agreement was good for the Christian kingdoms. It helped bring peace to the border areas between León, Pamplona, and the Muslim lands.

Later Reign and Family

After Ramiro II of León died, King García supported his nephew, Sancho I of León, to become the new king. García's relationship with his brother-in-law, Fernán González of Castile, became difficult for a while. But they later became allies again. This happened when Fernán married García's daughter, Urraca, in 964.

King García Sánchez I died on February 22, 970. He was buried in the castle of San Esteban de Deyo in Villamayor de Monjardín, Navarre.

King García's Family

García Sánchez I married his first cousin, Andregoto Galíndez. She was the daughter of Galindo Aznárez II, the Count of Aragon. Since Galindo Aznárez II had no sons, the rights to the County of Aragon passed to Andregoto. Then, these rights went to her first son with García Sánchez. This made Aragon a part of the Kingdom of Pamplona.

García and Andregoto had two children:

• Sancho II of Pamplona, who became King of Pamplona and Count of Aragon after his father.
• Toda Garcés

García ended his marriage with Andregoto in 942. She then moved to her lands in Aibar.

Later, García married Teresa of León in 943. She was the daughter of his ally, King Ramiro II of León.

García and Teresa had three children:

• Ramiro Garcés of Viguera (died 981), who became the first King of Viguera.
• Jimeno Garcés
• Urraca Garcés (died before 1008), who married Fernán González of Castile.

See also

In Spanish: García Sánchez I de Pamplona para niños