Gonzalo Salvadórez facts for kids
Gonzalo Salvadórez (died January 6, 1083) was a very powerful nobleman in the Kingdom of Castile during his time. People called him Cuatro Manos (which means 'four hands') because he was incredibly brave. He was connected to the important Lara family and was traditionally believed to be a descendant of the early Counts of Castile.
Gonzalo was the son of Salvador González and the brother of Álvaro Salvadórez. He often appeared in official documents with his brother. His family was very influential in the area called Bureba.
Gonzalo first appears in records as an adult in 1056. He was at the court of King Ferdinand I and signed an important document along with his father and uncle, Munio González.
During the rule of King Sancho II, Gonzalo was often at the king's court and signed many of his official papers. In 1072, he was in charge of Lara. That year, King Sancho gave the people of Lara the right to go on a special trip (a pilgrimage) to San Millán de Cogolla. Gonzalo also signed documents for donations to San Millán in 1070 and twice in 1082.
After King Sancho's death in 1072, Gonzalo and his uncle Munio were among the first Castilian nobles to support the new king, Alfonso VI. In 1074, Gonzalo became a count, a very high noble rank. Gonzalo, Munio, and Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar (who you might know as El Cid) were the only Castilian nobles who played a big part in the king's actions outside of Castile. Gonzalo signed nine of King Sancho II's documents and eleven of King Alfonso's. In 1073, while King Sancho IV of Navarre and King Alfonso were fighting, Gonzalo talked with King Sancho IV to make sure the pilgrims from Lara could safely travel to San Millán.
The Battle of Rueda
In December 1082, a governor named Albofalac, who was in charge of Rueda de Jalón, started a rebellion. He supported Yusuf al-Muzaffar, who was the imprisoned brother of the recently deceased ruler of Zaragoza. Albofalac rebelled against the new ruler, al-Mu'tamin.
Around the same time, another leader, Ibn al-Royolo, was thought to be secretly working with King Alfonso VI against al-Mu'tamin. King Alfonso had also recently sent an ambassador to Zaragoza, and this visit didn't go well. So, when Albofalac asked King Alfonso to join his revolt, Alfonso was open to the idea.
King Alfonso sent an army led by Gonzalo and Ramiro Garcés, who was the younger brother of King Sancho IV of Navarre. Gonzalo and Ramiro met with Yusuf, who was now free. Yusuf might have encouraged them to ask King Alfonso to come in person. King Alfonso did show up, but only for a short time.
After King Alfonso left, Yusuf suddenly died. Albofalac then invited King Alfonso to take control of his castle at Rueda. The king sent Gonzalo and Ramiro to the castle, promising them they would be safe.
Gonzalo's Last Wishes
Just before he left on this final trip, Gonzalo made a special gift to the monastery of San Salvador de Oña, which his family had supported for a long time. This gift was like a will, showing his strong religious beliefs.
He said:
I Count Gonzalo, ready for battle against the Moors with my lord, give to God and to the monastery of Oña where my ancestors rest, so that I will always be remembered there... If I die fighting the Moors, may my soul be with Christ; and let my body be taken to Oña and buried there with my family, along with 1600 gold coins, three of my best horses, two mules, two silk robes, three robes of shot-silk taffeta, and two silver vessels... If my followers do not bring me to Oña if I die, they are worth nothing, like a traitor who kills his lord, because I made them rich and powerful.
Death and Burial
When Gonzalo, Ramiro, and their men entered the castle, the soldiers inside attacked them. They were killed by stones thrown at them. Most historical records say that Count Gonzalo died at Rueda in 1083.
Gonzalo was buried at Oña, just as he had asked. His family continued to be buried there for generations.
Family Life
Gonzalo had two wives. His first wife was Elvira Díaz. They had six children: Goto, Toda, Munia, Dueña, García, and Gustio.
His second wife was Sancha Sánchez. They had two children: a son named Gómez González, who later became a count and was a very important noble, and another son named Fernando. Gómez González was also known for once trying to marry Queen Urraca of León.
His daughter Goto married Fernando Díaz. She died by July 1087. Fernando, carrying out her wishes, gave some land in Hermosilla to the San Salvador de Oña monastery. This land was something Goto had inherited from her father and her uncle Álvaro Salvadórez.
See also
In Spanish: Gonzalo Salvadórez para niños
