Toda of Pamplona facts for kids

Toda Aznárez (also known as Toda of Pamplona) was an important queen in the Kingdom of Pamplona. She became queen by marrying King Sancho I. After her husband passed away, she became a regent for her young son, García Sánchez I, starting in 931. This meant she ruled the kingdom until her son was old enough to take over. Toda came from a royal family herself, the Aritza dynasty.

Toda's Family and Children

Toda's father was Aznar Sánchez, a lord from Larraun. Her mother was Onneca Fortúnez. This means Toda was related to the kings who ruled Pamplona before her, the Aritza family. She was also related to Caliph Abd-al-Rahman III, a powerful ruler in the Islamic world.

Toda and King Sancho I of Pamplona had several children:

• Urraca: She became queen of León from 931 to 951. She was married to King Ramiro II.
• Oneca: She was queen of León from 926 to 931. She married King Alfonso IV.
• Sancha: She became a countess in Castile. She was married to Fernán González.
• Velasquita: She married three times. Her husbands were Count Munio Vélaz of Álava, Galindo of Ribagorza, and Fortún Galindez.
• Orbita
• García I: He became king of Pamplona from 925 to 970.

When Toda's husband, King Sancho, died, their son García was still too young to rule. So, Sancho's brother, Jimeno Garcés, became king. Jimeno was married to Toda's sister, Sancha.

Toda as Regent

When King Jimeno, Toda's brother-in-law, died in 931, Queen Toda became the regent for her young son, García Sánchez I. A regent is someone who rules a kingdom when the true king or queen is too young or unable to rule. Toda was also her son's guardian.

In 934, Toda signed an agreement with her nephew, Abd-ar-Rahman III, who was the Caliph. She promised to be loyal to him. This agreement helped confirm her son García's right to rule. However, Toda broke this agreement in 937, which led to a military action against her kingdom.

Toda was a very active ruler. She often appeared in official documents of the kingdom. She even ruled her own small area within the kingdom for a time, around the towns of Degio and Lizarra.

One famous story about Toda shows her diplomatic skills. In 958, her grandson, Sancho I of León, was very overweight. This was causing him health problems and had even led to him losing his throne. Toda asked for help from Abd-ar-Rahman III, the Caliph, because his kingdom was known for its excellent doctors.

The Caliph sent his Jewish doctor, Hasdai ibn Shaprut, to help. The doctor said he could cure Sancho, but only if Toda visited the city of Córdoba. So, Toda, her son García Sánchez I, her grandson Sancho I, and many important nobles and church leaders traveled to Córdoba. They were welcomed with great honor. This visit of a Christian queen to the capital of an Islamic caliphate was a very important moment in history. It showed how powerful and respected Abd-ar-Rahman III was. Sancho's medical treatment worked, and he became much healthier.

Toda was also good at arranging marriages for her daughters. These marriages helped create alliances and keep peace among the different Christian kingdoms and noble families in Iberia. Toda passed away in 958.

See also

In Spanish: Toda Aznárez de Pamplona para niños