Vela Jiménez facts for kids
Vela Jiménez was an important leader known as the Count of Álava. He is mentioned in old records from the years 882 and 883. These records are found in a special book called the Codex Vigilanus. This book was put together in 881, and later, two big parts were added to describe what happened in 882 and 883.
Before Count Vela, there was another count in Álava named Eylo. In 868, Eylo led a rebellion, but King Alfonso III of Asturias stopped it. Eylo was then taken to Oviedo in chains. However, the information about Count Vela, who was a key figure in his family line, is much clearer and more detailed.
Family Background
People believe that Vela Jiménez might have been part of the royal family of Pamplona. He may have belonged to the Jiména family. Some even think he was related to King Alfonso III, perhaps his brother-in-law. But this idea is mostly based on his last name, Jiménez. There are no old documents that clearly prove these family connections.
Count in Álava
The first Count of Castile was Rodrigo. He ruled the County of Castile because King Ordoño I of Asturias asked him to. Old documents show that Rodrigo, and later his son Diego, also had power over parts of Álava. But it wasn't until 882 that someone officially held the title of Count of Álava.
By 882, Rodrigo's son, Diego, was governing Castile. At the same time, Vela Jiménez was in charge of Álava. The records say: Vigila Scemeniz erat tunc comes in Alaba, which means "Vela Jiménez was then count in Álava."
In 882, while Count Diego was defending a narrow pass called Pancorbo, Count Vela had a very important job. He was responsible for protecting the County of Álava. He did this from a castle in a place called Cellorigo. From there, he blocked the way for enemy forces. He successfully defeated the Muslim army led by Al-Mundhir of Córdoba in a battle known as the Battle of Cellorigo.
Possible Family Members
Even though there are no documents to fully confirm it, historians think Vela Jiménez might have been the father of these people:
- Munio Vélaz: He appears as the count in Álava starting in 913. In 919, he is mentioned as Monnio Uigilazi in Alaba in an old book called the Cartularios de Valpuesta. Because of his name and title, he was likely one of Count Vela's sons. He might also be the same Munio who is called Count Momo Biscahiensis (count in Biscay) in another old book, the Códice de Roda.
- Nuño Vélaz: A historian named Jaime de Salazar y Acha suggests that Count Vela could have had a son named Nuño. This Nuño might have moved to the Kingdom of León. This happened after Count Vela's family members left Castile because they had disagreements with another count named Fernán González. This Nuño is thought to be the ancestor of the Vela (or Vélaz) family. This idea helps explain why later generations had Basque names like Vela and Oveco. This Nuño would have had several children, including counts Vela Núñez and Bermudo Núñez (who was the first count of Cea). Another child was Oveco Núñez, who became a Bishop in León.
See also
In Spanish: Vela Jiménez para niños
