Vímara Peres facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vímara Peres |
|
|---|---|
Equestrian statue of Vímara Peres in Porto
|
|
| Count of Portucale | |
| Reign | 868-873 |
| Successor | Lucídio Vimaranes |
| Died | 873 Vama |
Vímara Peres was an important nobleman who lived in the 800s. He is known for being the very first Count of Portugal. He passed away in Galicia in the year 873.
Who Was Vímara Peres?
His Family
Vímara Peres's father was named Pedro Theón. Pedro was also an important person in his time. He worked with King Alfonso III of Asturias. Pedro Theón was a brave leader who helped fight against the Vikings when they attacked Galicia in 858. Vímara also had a brother named Hermenegildo Pérez.
Becoming a Count
Vímara Peres was a loyal helper, also known as a vassal, to King Alfonso III of Asturias. The king sent Vímara on an important mission. His job was to take back land from the Moors. The Moors were Arab and Berber groups who had moved into Hispania (which is now Spain and Portugal).
Vímara's mission was to secure the western coast, from the Minho River down to the Douro River. This area included a city called Portus Cale. Today, this city is known as Porto. The name "Portugal" actually comes from "Portus Cale"!
The Kingdom of Asturias was split into different areas called counties. Portus Cale was one of these counties. In 868, King Alfonso III officially named Vímara Peres the Count of Portugal. This happened after Vímara successfully took back the land north of the Douro River. Many historians see this moment as the very beginning of Portugal's history, even though Portugal didn't become a fully independent country until the 1100s.
Vímara Peres was successful in pushing out the Moors. He then built a new, strong town. He named it Vimaranis, which meant "of Vimar." Over time, this name changed to Guimaranis, and today it is the city of Guimarães. People in Portugal sometimes call Guimarães "The Cradle City" because of its historical importance. Vímara Peres died in 873 in the area of A Coruña.
His Children
While we don't know for sure who Vímara Peres's wife was, some historians believe her name might have been Trudildi.
Most historians agree that Vímara Peres was the father of:
- Lucídio Vimaranes: He took over as the governor of the county after his father, Vímara, passed away.
See also
In Spanish: Vimara Pérez para niños
