Sancho Ordóñez facts for kids
Sancho Ordóñez (c. 895 – 929) was a king who ruled Galicia from 926 until his death. He was the oldest son of King Ordoño II of León. His father had inherited Galicia when the Kingdom of Asturias was divided in 910. Sancho also gained control of Galicia when he and his brothers split the kingdom among themselves. The name Ordóñez simply means "son of Ordoño."
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Becoming King
When King Ordoño II died in 924, his brother Froila II became king of the entire kingdom. However, Froila II died just one year later, in 925. After Froila's death, the situation became a bit unclear.
Sancho tried to take control of the city of León. But his younger brother Alfonso opposed him. Alfonso had the support of the nobles in León and his father-in-law, King Sancho Garcés I of Pamplona. Sancho was defeated in battle and had to leave León.
Ruling Galicia
Sancho was crowned king in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in 926. He must have made an agreement with his brother Alfonso, who was now king in León. This is because both Sancho and Alfonso led an important meeting together. This meeting happened at Christmas in 927 and included important church leaders and nobles from across the kingdom.
At this meeting, the kings confirmed that the Galician monastery of Santa María de Loio was being restored. This restoration was done by Count Gutier Menéndez and his wife Ilduara. Gutier was the uncle of both Sancho and Alfonso, as he was the brother of their mother, Elvira Menéndez.
King's Title and Support
In the official papers he signed, Sancho called himself "Prince of Galicia" (Gallecie princeps). This title showed that he had royal power, similar to how ancient Roman emperors were called "princeps."
Records from Sancho's time show that he gave gifts of land to important people. For example, he gave land to Gutier Menéndez in 927 and to another Galician nobleman named Odoario in 928. He also received land as a gift in 929. These actions show that Sancho relied on and received help from the nobles in Galicia.
Family Life
Sancho married Goto Muñiz. She was a granddaughter of Gutier Menéndez and a niece of the famous saint-bishop Rudesind.
After Sancho died, Goto Muñiz did not marry again. This was common practice under the laws of that time. Instead, she joined the Santa María monastery in Castrelo de Miño. She became the abbess, which is the head of the monastery, and was still living there in 947.
Death and Legacy
Sancho died before August 16, 929. After his death, his brother Alfonso became king of Galicia as well.
Sancho's reign was not often talked about in later history books. He usually doesn't have a number after his name, unlike his nephew, Sancho I, who ruled later. However, this doesn't mean he was a less important king than his father or brothers.
See also
In Spanish: Sancho Ordóñez para niños
