Ramiro III of León facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ramiro III |
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Ramiro III from the 12th-century Libro de las Estampas
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| King of León | |
| Reign | 966–984 |
| Predecessor | Sancho I |
| Successor | Bermudo II |
| Regent | Elvira Ramírez Teresa Ansúrez |
| Born | c. 961 |
| Died | 26 June 985 Destriana |
| Burial | Basilica of San Isidoro |
| Consort | Sancha Gómez |
| Issue | Ordoño Ramírez |
| Dynasty | Astur-Leonese dynasty |
| Father | Sancho I of León |
| Mother | Teresa Ansúrez |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Signature |  |
Ramiro III (born around 961, died June 26, 985) was a king of León, a kingdom in what is now Spain. He became king when he was very young, only five years old, in 966. His father was King Sancho I. Ramiro III ruled until 984.
His Family and Early Rule
When Ramiro III was a child king, his kingdom was managed by two important women. These women were his regents, meaning they ruled for him until he was old enough. First, his aunt Elvira Ramírez was regent. She even used the title of queen. After her, his mother, Teresa Ansúrez, became regent. She had become a nun after her husband, King Sancho I, died. Because these two women were nuns, Ramiro's rule was known for supporting the clergy, which means religious leaders and organizations.
Major Events During His Reign
While Ramiro was still a child, his regents made an important peace treaty with the Caliph al-Hakam II. A caliph was a powerful Muslim ruler. Ramiro also had to deal with Vikings who had invaded Galicia, a part of his kingdom. Even with the peace treaty, a powerful Muslim leader named Almanzor, who was a vizier (a high-ranking official), later invaded Ramiro's lands.
When Ramiro became an adult, he married a woman named Sancha. She might have been the daughter of Gómez Díaz, Count of Saldaña. Ramiro then tried to make his rule more powerful and centralized. This idea did not go well with the people of Galicia and Castile, who already wanted more independence.
Ramiro's rule also faced many defeats against the Muslims. Some of these battles included the Battle of Rueda and the Battle of Torrevicente. The worst defeat happened at San Esteban de Gormaz in 975, when his aunt was still regent.
Because of these problems and defeats, the nobles in Galicia decided to choose a new king in 982. They chose Bermudo II, who was the son of Ordoño III. Ramiro III lost his throne to Bermudo two years later, in 984. Ramiro and his wife Sancha had at least one child, Ordoño Ramírez. Interestingly, Ordoño Ramírez later married Cristina Bermúdez, who was the daughter of Ramiro's rival, Bermudo II.
See also
In Spanish: Ramiro III de León para niños
