Armengol I of Urgel
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Armengol I or Ermengol I (974 – 1011), called el de Córdoba, was the Count of Urgel from 992 to his death. He was the second son of Borrel II of Barcelona and his first wife, Letgarda, daughter of Raymond Pons of Toulouse. He was the first of the counts of Urgel and famous man for his participation in the Reconquista.
A man of culture, Armengol was open to influences from wider Europe and he made two voyages to Rome, in 998 and 1001. He was a stimulus to his nobles in making pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela or Le Puy. He also reformed the judiciary of his county to make justice more available to all.[1] He also began to reassert his authority over the outlying castles of his realm, whose lords were acting independent of his power.[2]
He also maintained an intense war against the Caliphate of Córdoba. In 1004, he was imprisoned in Albesa after fighting against Lérida. In 1008, he led several successful expeditions against the Moors.[3] In 1011, he participated in th expedition of his brother Raymond Borrel of Barcelona against Córdoba itself. He died nearby at Castell de Bacar, thirty seven years of age.
[edit] Family
Around 1001, Armengol married Tetberga, sister of Boso II of Provence. From this union came two children:
- Armengol II, his successor
- Stephanie, married William II of Pallars Sobirà
[edit] Notes
- ^ Lewis, 379.
- ^ Ibid.
- ^ Ibid, based on Adhemar de Chabannes.
[edit] Sources
- Lewis, Archibald R. The Development of Southern French and Catalan Society, 718–1050. University of Texas Press: Austin, 1965.
| Preceded by new creation |
Count of Urgel 992 – 1011 |
Succeeded by Armengol II |
