Ramiro Garcés, Lord of Calahorra facts for kids
Ramiro Garcés was a powerful nobleman who lived a long time ago, in the 11th century. He was the second son of King García Sánchez III of Pamplona and Queen Stephania. Ramiro was an important person in the areas around Nájera and Calahorra. He also played a big role in the royal courts of both Navarre and Castile. He died on January 6, 1083, during a time called the Reconquista, when he was trying to take control of a castle.
Contents
Ramiro Garcés first appears in old documents around 1052. These papers show him as an infans, which means a royal prince. He was the son of King García Sánchez III. Even after his brother, Sancho IV, became king, Ramiro was still called an infans.
Ramiro often signed important documents, showing his role in the kingdom. For example, he confirmed a special paper in 1055. He also confirmed a gift from Gomesano, who was the Bishop of Calahorra, in 1058.
In 1062, Ramiro, described as "child of King García," gave some land to a church called San Martín de Albelda. This gift was approved by Fortún Garcés, who was the lord of Calahorra at that time.
When his mother, Queen Stephania, wrote her will in 1066, she left some property to Ramiro. Later, in 1072, documents show him as "lord Ramiro, lord of Saint Stephen." This means he was in charge of a place called Saint Stephen. Ramiro also got involved in the politics of the nearby Kingdom of Aragon. He witnessed a document about changes in the cathedral of Catedral de San Pedro de Jaca around 1076.
Ramiro's Role in Castile
A big change happened in 1076 when King Sancho IV of Navarre was killed. He left behind young children who were too young to rule. This created a chance for the kingdoms next door to take over parts of Navarre.
Alfonso VI of Castile took control of the western areas of Navarre. Meanwhile, in Pamplona, the capital city, the nobles chose Sancho Ramírez of Aragon to be their new king.
Ramiro Garcés became an important person at the court of King Alfonso VI of Castile. By September 1079, he was definitely there. He and his sister Ermesinda signed an important document from King Alfonso, who was called "emperor of all Spain." Ramiro's sister Ermesinda married a lord named Fortún Sánchez. His other sister, Urraca, married García Ordóñez, who was a very powerful noble in Castile.
Ramiro was also the lord of Calahorra between 1076 and 1082. In 1081, King Alfonso VI approved a gift Ramiro made to a church called Santa María la Real of Nájera. Ramiro's father had started this church. In 1082, Ramiro also gave a servant to the church of San Martín de Albelda.
How Ramiro Died
The story of Ramiro's death is told in an old book called the Historia Roderici. In December 1082, a governor named Albofalac, who was in charge of Rueda de Jalón castle, rebelled. 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.
At the same time, another person named Ibn al-Royolo was suspected of working with King Alfonso VI against al-Mu'tamin. King Alfonso had also recently sent a group to Zaragoza, but it didn't go well. So, when Albofalac asked Alfonso for help in his rebellion, Alfonso agreed.
King Alfonso sent an army led by Ramiro Garcés and Gonzalo Salvadórez. Ramiro and Gonzalo talked with Yusuf, who was now free. Yusuf might have asked them to invite King Alfonso to come in person. Alfonso did come for a short time, but then he left. After Alfonso left, Yusuf suddenly died.
Albofalac then invited King Alfonso to take control of his castle, Rueda. King Alfonso sent Ramiro and Gonzalo, promising them they would be safe. But when they and their men entered the castle, the soldiers inside attacked them. They were killed by stones thrown at them. One of the nobles who died with Ramiro was his half-brother, Sancho Garcés.
Most historians agree that Ramiro died on January 6, 1083.
Sources and Further Reading
- Barton, Simon. 1997. The Aristocracy in Twelfth-Century León and Castile. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Barton, Simon and Richard A. Fletcher, edd. 2000. The World of El Cid: Chronicles of the Spanish Reconquest. Manchester: Manchester University Press. ISBN: 0-7190-5226-2.
- Catalán, Diego. 1966. "Sobre el «Ihante» que quemó la mezquita de Elvira y la crisis de Navarra en el siglo XI". Al-Andalus, 31(1): 209–35.
- Fletcher, Richard A. 1989. The Quest for El Cid. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN: 0-394-57447-8.
- Reilly, Bernard F. 1988. The Kingdom of León-Castilla under King Alfonso VI, 1065–1109. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
See also
In Spanish: Ramiro de Pamplona para niños
