Ordoño II of León facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ordoño II |
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Ordoño II in the 12th-century Libro de las Estampas
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| King of Galicia | |
| Reign | 910–924 |
| Predecessor | Alfonso III |
| Successor | Fruela II |
| King of León | |
| Reign | 914–924 |
| Predecessor | García I |
| Successor | Fruela II |
| Born | c. 873 |
| Died | June 924 (aged 50–51) León |
| Burial | León Cathedral |
| Consort | Elvira Menéndez Aragonta González Sancha Sánchez of Pamplona |
| Issue | Sancho I Ordóñez Alfonso IV Ramiro II Jimena |
| Dynasty | Astur-Leonese dynasty |
| Father | Alfonso III of Asturias |
| Mother | Jimena of Pamplona |
| Religion | Chalcedonian Christianity |
Ordoño II (born around 873, died June 924 in León) was an important king in early Spanish history. He ruled Galicia starting in 910. Later, from 914 until his death, he became king of both Galicia and León. He was a strong and active leader. He helped make the Kingdom of León powerful. He also fought many battles against the Muslim rulers who controlled much of the Iberian Peninsula at that time. His rule was a key moment as the Kingdom of Asturias changed into the Kingdom of León, with León becoming the main city.
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Early Life and Family
Ordoño II was born around the year 873. He was the second son of King Alfonso III the Great of Asturias and Queen Jimena.
When his father, King Alfonso III, died in 910, the kingdom was split among his three sons. Ordoño received the region of Galicia. His older brother, García, became king of León. Their other brother, Fruela, got Asturias. Even though the kingdom was divided, Asturias was still seen as the most important part. Ordoño was known for being stronger-willed than his brothers.
Youth and Early Service
As a young man, Ordoño was sent to Zaragoza to be educated. He learned at the court of the Banu Qasi, a powerful Muslim family. Before becoming king in 910, he helped govern Galicia.
He even led a military trip against the Muslims in southern Spain. This trip reached the city of Seville. His forces destroyed and looted a rich neighborhood called Regel. Historians are not sure exactly where this neighborhood was.
Becoming King of León
In 909, Ordoño and his brothers rebelled against their father, King Alfonso III. His brother García was arrested. The next year, King Alfonso III had to give up his throne. He divided his kingdom among his sons. García received León, Fruela got Asturias, and Ordoño became king of Galicia. King Alfonso III died on December 20, 910.
García I and Ordoño did not get along well. After their father died, García even stopped a bishop from taking money to a holy place.
In 914, Ordoño's brother García died in Zamora. García had no children. This meant that Ordoño II became the king of León, uniting the kingdoms of Galicia and León under his rule.
Reign as King
As king, Ordoño continued to expand the Christian territories. He focused on two main areas.
Campaigns in the South
In the southwestern parts of his kingdom, Ordoño led successful attacks. He raided the cities of Mérida and Évora. He forced the Muslim governor of that area to pay him to leave.
Battles in the East
In the eastern parts of his kingdom, Ordoño joined forces with Sancho I Garcés, the king of Navarre. They fought against Abd-ar-Rahman III, the powerful Muslim ruler of Córdoba.
In 917, Ordoño and Sancho defeated the Muslim army at San Esteban de Gormaz. The next year, they captured the cities of Arnedo and Calahorra from the Banu Qasi family.
However, Abd-ar-Rahman III responded strongly. In 920, he sent a large army to take back Osma and San Esteban de Gormaz. He then moved into Navarre. The Christian forces were defeated at the Battle of Valdejunquera. The bishops of Tui and Salamanca were captured. Abd-ar-Rahman III planned to attack Pamplona itself, but he turned back to secure his large amount of captured goods.
Ordoño II believed the Christian loss was due to the absence of important counts from Castile. These counts, including Nuño Fernández and Fernando Ansúrez, had not joined his call for help. Ordoño gathered them and had them imprisoned.
The Christians quickly fought back. They took control of La Rioja and added Nájera and Viguera to Navarre. Ordoño also faced frequent raids from Abd-ar-Rahman III's armies. He also had to deal with Castilians who were planning a revolt in León.
Marriages and Succession
Ordoño II was married three times. His first wife was Elvira Menéndez. She was the mother of all his children.
After Elvira's death, he married Aragonta González. However, he soon set her aside because "she was not pleasing to him."
Later, he formed a political alliance with King Sancho I of Pamplona. As part of this alliance, he married Sancho's daughter, Sancha.
Ordoño II died in 924. He left behind young children. His oldest surviving brother, Fruela, who was king of Asturias, became his successor. This reunited the lands that their father had divided. Ordoño's widow, Sancha, later remarried twice.
See also
In Spanish: Ordoño II de León para niños
