Gutier Menéndez facts for kids

Gutier Menéndez (born around 865 – died 934) was a very powerful leader in Galicia, a region in Spain. He lived during the time of the Kingdom of León. Gutier was connected to the royal family through marriages. This made him a key person in the civil wars that happened after a disagreement about who should be king in 925.

Gutier's Family and Connections

Gutier Menéndez was born around the year 865. His parents were Count Hermenegildo Gutiérrez and Hermesinda Gatóñez. His family was very well-connected to the royal family of León.

Gutier's sister, Elvira, married King Ordoño II. This made Gutier the king's brother-in-law!

Gutier married Ilduara Ériz. They likely married around 890. They had five children:

• Munio (active 911–955), who became a count. His daughter, Goto Muñoz, married King Sancho Ordóñez.
• Rosendo (active 916–977), who became an abbot and bishop. He is now known as a saint.
• Fruela (active 935–942), who was also a count.
• Adosinda (active 934–964), who married two counts.
• Hermesinda (active 929–934), who married Count Pelayo González.

Gutier and Ilduara were very wealthy. They owned land in many places, not just in Galicia, which was their main home, but also in Portugal and Asturias. In their will, written in 934, they shared their wealth among their five children. Gutier said he got his wealth from "royal grants, war spoils, and other ways."

Gutier's Important Career

During the rule of his brother-in-law, King Ordoño II, Gutier was often at the royal court. Ordoño II was king of Galicia from 910 and then king of León from 914 until he died in 924. Gutier helped with many royal decisions and signed important documents. His work wasn't just in Galicia during this time.

After Ordoño II died, his younger brother, Fruela II, became king. But Fruela II died the next year, in 925. This led to a civil war among Ordoño II's sons, who were Gutier's nephews.

The oldest son, Sancho Ordóñez, briefly became king in León. But by 926, he only ruled Galicia. His younger brother, Alfonso IV, ruled in León.

In December 927, the two kings, Sancho and Alfonso, seemed to make peace. They met to confirm that Gutier and Ilduara had restored a monastery called Santa María de Loyo near Lugo. Gutier led the meeting in front of the kings. This suggests that Gutier might have helped the kings make peace, or he might have even been acting as a temporary ruler of the kingdom.

In 927, King Sancho gave Gutier the land of Villare. This land was next to Gutier's home in Vilanova dos Infantes. Later, Gutier's son Rosendo built the famous abbey of Celanova on this land. Gutier also owned homes in Vilanova and Portomarín.

When King Sancho died in 929, Alfonso IV took over direct rule in Galicia. On August 16, Alfonso rewarded Gutier for his strong support. He gave Gutier control over six counties in Galicia: Quiroga, Santiago de Castillón, Lor, Saviñao, Louseiro, and Ortigueira. Most of these were near Lugo, while Ortigueira is on the northern coast.

Gutier continued to witness many royal acts for Alfonso IV. However, Alfonso was later overthrown by his younger brother, Ramiro II, in 931. Gutier might have played a big part in Alfonso's overthrow. He witnessed many of Ramiro's acts from 931 until Gutier's death. Many other powerful leaders who supported Alfonso were no longer important after Ramiro won.

See also

In Spanish: Gutierre Menéndez para niños