Raymond III of Pallars Jussà facts for kids

Raymond III (who died in 1047), also known as Ramon Sunyer, was an important leader in a region of Spain called Pallars Jussà. He became the first Count of Pallars Jussà (which means Lower Pallars) in 1011 and ruled until he passed away.

Raymond took over from his father, Count Sunyer I of Pallars. His father decided to split his land, called a county, between his two sons. Raymond, being the older brother, received Pallars Jussà. His younger brother, William II, received Pallars Sobirà. Raymond's mother was Ermentrude, his father's first wife.

Even before his father died, Raymond was already helping to rule. By 1006, he was called a "co-count" alongside his father. However, his father was known as "count by the grace of God," which meant he believed his power came from God. Raymond was simply called "count." His brother William did not have the title of count at this time.

In 1040, Raymond made an important agreement, called a convenientia, with another powerful leader, Count Ermengol III of Urgell. In this agreement, Raymond agreed to recognize Ermengol as his lord, which meant he would respect Ermengol's authority. In return, Raymond would receive money every year from Count Ermengol. This was a new type of agreement for Pallars Jussà. As part of the same deal, Ermengol gave up his claim to the castle of Llimiana, ending any disagreements he had with Raymond about it.

When Raymond's son, Raymond IV, became count, he made everyone in his land take a public oath (a promise). He mentioned his father, Raymond III, and his uncle, William II of Pallars Sobirà, when he did this. This suggests that public oaths might have started with Raymond III and his brother. This is important because it shows that being a count in Pallars was still seen as a public job, like a government position, rather than just owning a lot of land privately.

Family Life

Raymond III was married twice and had children.

First Marriage

Raymond's first wife was named Mayor. She was a daughter of Count García Fernández of Castile. They were married around 1008 or 1010, and the first official record of their marriage is from August 3, 1016. Interestingly, Mayor's aunt, Tota, was Raymond's stepmother (his father's second wife). So, Raymond married his stepmother's niece! Sometime after January 1027, Raymond ended his marriage with Mayor. In 1028, Mayor was managing a monastery in Castile and was still alive in 1034.

Second Marriage and Children

By 1029, Raymond had married his second wife, Ermessinda. We know her mother's name was Gilga or Guisla. Some historians think Ermessinda might have been a daughter of Count Ermengol I of Urgell. Ermessinda was the mother of Raymond's sons, Raymond IV and Sunyer II. She might also have been the mother of his only known daughter, Ricarda, who was married by 1044. Ermessinda lived longer than Raymond and died sometime between 1055 and 1069.

See also

In Spanish: Ramón III de Pallars Jussá para niños