Velasquita Ramírez facts for kids

Velasquita Ramírez (pronounced: veh-lah-SKEE-tah rah-MEE-reth) was a queen of León. She was the first wife of King Bermudo II of León. Velasquita was also the mother of Cristina Bermúdez, who married Ordoño Ramírez. She passed away around the year 1035.

Her Life Story

We don't know for sure where Velasquita's family came from. An old stone in a church just says she was "daughter of Ramiro." Some historians in the past thought her father was King Ramiro II of León. However, modern historians don't think this is true. This is because old documents usually said "daughter of King Ramiro" if that were the case.

Instead, many historians now believe her father was Ramiro Menéndez. His parents were Count Hermenegildo González and Muniadona Díaz. This idea fits with a document from 999. In it, King Bermudo mentioned Gonzalo Betótez, who was Count Hermenegildo's father, as his great-grandfather.

Velasquita married Bermudo II sometime between 980 and 981. They appeared together for the first time in a document from October 981. This was a year before Bermudo became king. In this document, a count from Galicia gave land to a monastery. Bermudo signed it as "Veremudus, son of King Ordoño," and Velasquita signed as "his wife."

The Monastery of San Pelayo in Oviedo, where Velasquita lived as a nun.

Velasquita and Bermudo were last seen together in documents in late 988. She was likely separated from him in 989. By 991, King Bermudo was already signing documents with his second wife, Elvira García.

After leaving the royal court, Velasquita moved to Oviedo with her daughter Cristina. She became a nun at the Monastery of San Pelayo. The head nun there was the former queen, Teresa Ansúrez. Some historians believe Velasquita and Teresa worked together. They may have planned for Velasquita's daughter, Cristina, to marry Teresa's grandson, Ordoño Ramírez. This marriage would have brought two important royal families together.

Velasquita was still involved in important events. On March 14, 996, she was at the Monastery of San Pelayo. She confirmed a gift made by her former husband, King Bermudo, and his second wife Elvira. Later, in 1024, she was also present when her daughter Cristina, who was a widow by then, started the Monastery of Cornellana. Cristina would later live there.

Family and Children

Velasquita and King Bermudo had one child together. Her name was Cristina Bermúdez. Cristina married Ordoño Ramírez. Ordoño was the son of King Bermudo's rival, Ramiro III of León.

Velasquita also had grandchildren. These included Alfonso Ordóñez, Aldonza Ordóñez, Ordoño Ordóñez, and Pelaya Ordóñez. Ordoño Ordóñez became an important leader and a high-ranking officer for Ferdinand I of León and Castile.

Later Life and Death

We don't know the exact date Velasquita died. It was probably sometime between 1028 and 1035. People believe she was buried at the Monastery of San Salvador de Deva in Asturias. She had founded this monastery before 1006. On August 29 of that year, she gave it to the Cathedral of Oviedo. She also gave other properties, like the monasteries of Santa Cruz and San Juan de Abonio, and the church of San Martín de Salas.

See also

• List of Leonese consorts
• In Spanish: Velasquita de León para niños