Sancho García of Castile facts for kids

Sancho García (died February 5, 1017) was an important ruler. He was the count of Castile and Álava from 995 until his death. People called him "of the Good Laws" (in Spanish, el de los Buenos Fueros). This was because he gave special rights and rules to many cities.

Life of Count Sancho García

Early Years and Rebellion

Sancho García was the son of Count García Fernández. His mother was Ava of Ribagorza.

When he was younger, Sancho rebelled against his own father. He got help from a powerful leader named Al-Mansur from Córdoba. Because of this, the county was split between Sancho and his father. It stayed divided until his father passed away five years later.

Battles and Victories

Sancho García was a strong leader. He continued the fight known as the Reconquista. This was a long effort by Christian kingdoms to take back land from Muslim rule in Spain.

He joined forces with other leaders like García Gómez and García Sánchez II of Pamplona. Together, they fought against Al-Mansur. In July 1000, Sancho led his army in the Battle of Cervera, but they were defeated. However, he quickly recovered. By September, he successfully stopped an invasion of his county by Córdoba.

Later Rule and Legacy

Al-Mansur died in 1002. This caused problems for the Caliphate of Córdoba, which was a large Muslim state. Sancho García continued to rule for another 15 years.

In 1010, he helped in the region of Ribagorza. He ended Muslim control there. He also helped set up a new way to share power in that area.

Count Sancho García was known for giving "good laws" or "charters" to different cities. These laws gave special rights to the people. In 1011, he started the Monastery of San Salvador de Oña. This was a religious building where he was later buried. After his death in 1017, his son García became the new count.

Family and Children

Sancho García married a woman named Urraca. We don't know much about her parents from old records. However, some historians think she was the sister of García Gómez.

Sancho and Urraca had several children:

• Muniadona: She was their oldest daughter. She married Sancho III of Pamplona. Through her, the right to rule the county eventually passed to another family.
• Ferdinand: He passed away before March 2, 999.
• Tigridia: She was born around 998. She became the head nun (abbess) of the Monastery of San Salvador de Oña. Sancho founded this monastery in 1011 for her to lead.
• Sancha: In 1016, she was set to marry Berenguer Ramon I, Count of Barcelona. They were married by 1021.
• García: He was born in November 1009. He became count after his father died.

They might have also had another daughter:

• Urraca: She married Sancho VI William of Gascony before 1008. She died without children in Bordeaux on July 12, 1041.

See also

In Spanish: Sancho García para niños