Martín Flaínez facts for kids

Martín Flaínez (died May 1108) was a very important and powerful noble in the Kingdom of León. He lived during the time of King Alfonso VI (1065–1109). Martín was a regular visitor at the royal court from 1090 until his death. He even used the special title gracia Dei comite, which means "count by the grace of God."

Early Life and Family

Martín Flaínez was the son of Flaín Fernández. His grandfather was Count Fernando Flaínez. Martín's mother was Toda. We first learn about Martín from a document dated May 28, 1065. This document shows he helped with a gift to the León Cathedral.

Martín had a brother named Fernando. Fernando was the king's alférez, a high-ranking military officer. In 1077, Fernando had a disagreement with the king and was no longer allowed at court. It was up to Martín to help his family become important again.

Twelfth-century depiction of Iberian cavalry: a crowned man with a bow, two knights with swords and a standard-bearer carrying a cross into battle.

Marriage and Children

Martín Flaínez married Sancha Fernández before November 13, 1084. This is when they first appeared together in a historical document. Sancha's mother was Tegridia Gutiérrez.

Martín and Sancha had four sons: Gómez, Osorio, Pedro, and Rodrigo. Sadly, all four sons died in battle. They also had a daughter named Tegridia, after Sancha's mother.

The family owned a manor house. It had a kitchen, a pond, a place for straw, and a threshing floor (for separating grain). In May 1085, Martín and Sancha gave this house to Arias Núñez because he had served them loyally.

Becoming a Count and Governing Lands

Martín was sometimes called a comes (count) before 1090, but he didn't use this title regularly until after the summer of 1090. That's when his important political career truly began.

From 1090 until his death, Martín was the tenant (governor) of Aguilar de Campoo. He was last mentioned there in January 1108. He also governed other important places for the king:

• Between 1091 and 1092, he governed the castle of Simancas.
• Around February 1092, he was the governor of Cabezón.
• From 1101 to 1107, he governed San Julián.
• He also briefly governed Ceón (1104), Peñamián (1105), and León (1106).

Religious Support

Martín Flaínez also supported religious groups. In March 1091, he gave a gift to the Benedictine monasteries of Sahagún. He also made a gift to the clergy (church leaders) in Valladolid in February 1092.

Martín didn't always agree with the Sahagún monastery. In 1091, he had to defend the people of Villavicencio in a disagreement they had with Sahagún.

At one point, when his son Rodrigo was young, Martín gave a meadow, some money, and candles to the Benedictine monastery of Santa Eugenia de Cordovilla. He said the monks there had helped his son by performing an exorcism. In September 1102, Martín gave land at Torredillos to the townspeople so they could build a church.

Death

According to a writer named Lucas de Tuy, Martín Flaínez died in May 1108 during the Battle of Uclés. Lucas de Tuy wrote about this more than a hundred years later.

One document from the Sahagún monastery, dated November 17, 1108, says Martín was still alive. However, this date might be a mistake. There are no other records of Martín after March 31, 1108. His oldest son, Gómez, is not mentioned after May 1107. It is likely that Gómez died in the same battle as his father. Martín Flaínez was buried in Sahagún.

See also

Template:Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Martín Flaínez para niños