Sancho IV of Pamplona facts for kids

Sancho Garcés IV (also known as Sancho of Peñalén) was a king who ruled the Kingdom of Pamplona from 1054 until he died in 1076. He was born around 1039. Sancho was the oldest son of King García Sánchez III and Queen Stephanie. He became king after his father was killed in a battle.

Becoming King of Pamplona

Sancho Garcés IV became king when he was only 14 years old. This happened after his father, King García Sánchez III, died in the Battle of Atapuerca on September 1, 1054. The army quickly made Sancho the new king right there on the battlefield. Even his uncle, Ferdinand I, who was the King of León, agreed to this.

Sancho's mother, Queen Stephanie, helped him rule as his regent until she passed away in 1058. She made sure to continue supporting important places like the monastery of Santa María la Real of Nájera.

Early Challenges and Treaties

Soon after Sancho became king, some important lords in the western part of his kingdom decided to support the King of León instead. Only a few, like Íñigo López from Biscay, stayed loyal to Sancho.

To keep peace, Sancho and King Ferdinand I signed a treaty in 1062. This agreement clearly marked the borders between their kingdoms. Ferdinand was recognized as the king of all Castile. Sancho's rule was confirmed over areas like Rioja, Álava, Biscay, and Guipúzcoa.

Alliances and Tributes

Sancho also received help from his other uncle, King Ramiro I of Aragon. Sancho was very grateful for Ramiro's friendship and support. He gave Ramiro control over some lands and a castle, possibly as a special agreement.

Starting in 1060, King Sancho put pressure on the ruler of Zaragoza, named al-Muqtadir. Sancho made him pay yearly tributes, which were like payments to avoid conflict.

This is a special document, called a diploma, that was issued by King Sancho IV.

War and His Death

From 1065, Sancho Garcés IV had conflicts with the Kingdom of Castile. Castile was now ruled by Sancho II of Castile, who was King Ferdinand's son and Sancho's cousin. This led to a conflict known as the War of the Three Sanchos (1067–1068).

The War of the Three Sanchos

Years before, Sancho's father had managed to keep some border lands that Castile also wanted. King Sancho II of Castile wanted to take these lands back for his kingdom. When Sancho of Castile invaded, Sancho of Pamplona asked his other cousin, Sancho of Aragón, for help.

However, their forces were defeated by Sancho of Castile and his strong commander, El Cid. As a result, Sancho of Pamplona lost important areas like Bureba, Alta Rioja, and Álava to Castile.

The King's Assassination

Sadly, King Sancho IV was killed in a place called Peñalén in 1076. This is why he is sometimes called "Sancho of Peñalén." His own brother, Ramón Garcés, and his sister, Ermesinda, were part of a plan to kill him. During a hunting trip, Sancho was killed by his siblings.

After his death, the kingdom of Pamplona was invaded. It was then divided between Sancho of Aragon and Alfonso VI of León and Castile, who was the brother of Sancho II of Castile. Alfonso took control of La Rioja, and Sancho of Aragon became the new king in Pamplona.

The place in Peñalén where King Sancho IV was killed. You can see the Aragon and Arga rivers in the background.

Family Life

Sancho Garcés IV married a French woman named Placencia in 1068. They had two sons together:

• García Sánchez, who was removed from the line to become king after his father's death. He died around 1092.
• Another son also named García Sánchez, who was still alive after 1092.

Sancho Garcés also had children with a woman named Jimena:

• Raimundo Sánchez
• Urraca Sánchez

See also

In Spanish: Sancho Garcés IV de Pamplona para niños