Gunrod facts for kids
Gundered (also known as Gunrod) was a powerful Viking leader, or warlord. We know about him from old Spanish history books, called chronicles. These books tell us that Gundered led a big Viking attack on a part of Spain called Galicia in the year 968.
Gundered's story comes from several Spanish chronicles written in the 1100s. These books all got their information from an even older book, the Chronicle of Sampiro, which is now lost. The main story about Gundered is found in a book called the Historia Silense.
The Viking Attack on Galicia
The Historia Silense tells us that in the year 968, Gundered arrived with a fleet of one hundred Viking ships. They sailed into Galicia, a region in northwest Spain. The Vikings caused a lot of destruction and killed many people, especially around the city of Santiago. The bishop of Santiago, named Sisnando Menéndez, was killed during these attacks.
The Vikings then spread out, raiding and taking over much of Galicia. They went as far as the mountains known as the Pirineos montes Ezebrarii.
The End of Gundered's Raid
The chronicle says that after three years of the Vikings being in Galicia, God brought justice upon them. Just as the Vikings had captured Christians and killed many, they also suffered greatly. This forced them to leave Galicia.
A brave leader named Count Guillelmus Sánchez gathered a large army. With help from God and Saint James (whose lands the Vikings had ruined), the count fought the Vikings. In this battle, all the Viking invaders were killed, including their king, Gundered. Their ships were also burned.
Who Was Gundered?
It's hard for historians to know for sure who Gundered was. The old Spanish chronicles are the only places he is mentioned. Most of the people and places in the story, except for Bishop Sisnando Menéndez, are not clearly identified.
Some historians think Count Guillelmus Sánchez might have been a Galician count named Gonzalo Sánchez. Others believe he could have been William Sánchez of Gascony.
People have also wondered about Gundered's own identity. Some have suggested he might have been one of the sons of a Norwegian king named Haraldr inn hárfagri. Another idea is that he was a "Sea-King" (a Viking leader who ruled the seas), possibly a relative of Harald II of Norway. However, these are just ideas, as there is no clear proof.
See also
In Spanish: Gunderedo para niños
