Gaston IV, Viscount of Béarn facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gaston IV of Béarn
Viscount of Béarn
Reign	1090 – 1131
Predecessor	Centule V
Successor	Centule VI
Born	Unknown
Died	1131
Spouse	Talesa of Aragon
Issue	Centule VI of Béarn Guiscarda of Béarn
House	House of Gascony
Father	Centule V of Béarn
Mother	Gisela of Gascony

Gaston IV (died 1131) was a powerful leader, known as the Viscount of Béarn from 1090 to 1131. People called him "the Crusader" (le Croisé) because he played a big part in the First Crusade. He fought alongside the army led by Raymond of Saint-Gilles.

Gaston IV: A Crusader's Life

Early Life and First Crusade

Gaston was the son of Centulle V of Béarn and Beatrix of Bigorre. Before becoming viscount, he fought in the Reconquista in Spain. This was a long series of battles to take back control of Spain from Muslim rulers.

Gaston became the Viscount of Béarn in 1090, after his father. During his time as ruler, he made the borders of Béarn much clearer. He defeated the viscount of Dax. By 1105, he took control of areas like Orthez, Pays de Mixe, and Ostabaret. He also gained Montaner when he married Talesa. Even though he was technically a vassal (a ruler who owes loyalty to a greater lord) of the Duchy of Aquitaine, Gaston made Béarn an almost independent territory.

In 1096, Gaston led a group of soldiers from Béarn in the First Crusade. He was not one of the most famous nobles, but he carried his own flag and commanded his own men. During the siege of Antioch (1097–1098), he led one of the groups in the final battle against Kerbogha, a powerful leader from Mosul.

After Antioch was captured, Gaston decided to join Godfrey of Bouillon. He marched with Godfrey towards Jerusalem. Gaston and Tancred were sent ahead to take Bethlehem. During the siege of Jerusalem in 1099, Gaston was in charge of Godfrey's huge siege engines. On July 15, 1099, Gaston was among the first crusaders to enter the city.

Gaston's experience in Spain taught him that Muslims could live peacefully under Christian rule. He preferred talking and finding solutions rather than fighting without reason. He and Tancred tried to protect some of the Muslims in Jerusalem by letting them hide in the Al-Aqsa Mosque. However, other crusaders soon killed them, which made Gaston and Tancred very angry. In August, Gaston helped lead the center of the crusader army at the battle of Ascalon in 1099. After this victory, Gaston and most other crusaders returned home.

Return to Béarn and Later Life

Gaston was a very religious man. When he returned to Béarn, he oversaw the building of many churches. These churches were meant to help pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela. He also gave land to the abbey of St. Foy to build new churches in Morlàas. He also made a gift to the abbey of Cluny. However, he also had disagreements with some churches. He successfully defended his claims to land belonging to the abbey of St. Vincent de Lucq and the monastery of St. Mont.

In 1118, Gaston joined his fellow crusader Centulle of Bigorre in the siege of Saragossa. This siege was led by Alfonso I of Aragon. After the city was captured, the king made Gaston the lord of Saragossa. Gaston was killed in battle near Valencia in 1130. He was fighting against the Almoravid governor of the city.

Gaston was followed by his young son, Centulle VI. Gaston's wife, Talèse, acted as ruler until their son was old enough. Talèse hoped to unite Béarn and Aragon. At that time, both areas were quite powerful. However, Aragon later joined with Catalonia, and Béarn began to become less powerful. Gaston's later descendants, Gaston VI and Gaston VII, also took part in important crusades.

Family and Children

Gaston married Talesa. She was the daughter of Sancho Ramírez, who was the Count of Ribagorza and lord of Aibar and Javierrelatre. Talesa's father was the half-brother of King Sancho Ramírez and the son of Ramiro I of Aragon.

Gaston and Talesa had two children:

• Centulle VI
• Guiscarde, who married Viscount Pierre of Gabarret

Images for kids

• 

  Gaston in Jerusalem

See also

In Spanish: Gastón IV de Bearne para niños