Artau I of Pallars Sobirà
Encyclopedia
Artau I was the Count of Pallars Sobirà from 1049 until his death in or around 1081. His reign was characterised by ceaseless wars and litigations with his more powerful cousin and neighbour Raymond IV of Pallars Jussà
.
Artau was the second son of William II of Pallars Sobirà and his wife Stephanie, a daughter of Ermengol I of Urgell
and Tetberga, who was related to either the Counts of Provence or Forez. His father died in 1035 and was succeeded by his eldest son, Bernard II. When he died in 1049, Artau became count. Artau married twice. His first wife, married before September 1050, was Constance, whose parents are unknown. Artrau took his second wife, Lucia (Llúcia), on 27 January 1057. She was a daughter of Bernard I of La Marche and thus a sister of Almodis
, the wife of Raymond Berengar I of Barcelona. In February 1058, perhaps on the occasion of the actual marriage, Artau granted control of two castles to the count of Barcelona and four to his new wife on top of her dowry
. She bore him three sons: Artau II
, his eldest son and heir; Ot, who became Bishop of Urgell; and William. She may have born Artau a daughter named Maria.
In relation to his military operations both defensive and offensive directed against the county of Pallars Jussà, Artau constructed several new castle
s: Montcortés, Peramea, Bresca, and Baén. In 1064 Artau and Raymond of Pallars Jussà reached their first of several convenientia (agreements). Artau was forced to grant a castle to Raymond as a pledge to hold future negotiations. A second agreement of this sort was reached on 30 May 1067: Artau ceded the monastery of Santa Maria de Lavaix and quitclaimed several villages (villae) to Raymond. Around 1080 a series of convenientia were made between Raymond and either Artau I or Artau II. This time Raymond gave up the right to control (potestas) the castle of Talarn
to two of his chief magnates, Pere Ramon I d'Erill and Mir Guirreta II de Bellera, while Artau granted the same of his castle of Salás to two of his men, Guillem Guitard de Vallferrera and Ramon Bernat. Both castles stood not far apart on opposite sides of the Noguera Pallaresa
where it defined the border of the two counties. The final settlement and exchange of castles took place in the presence of Sancho Ramírez, King of Aragon. At the same time this Artau, whether father or son, came to an agreement with the king over a prior dispute.
Artau was a patron of the monastery
of Santa Maria de Gerri
. In a surviving pre-1070 charter
dated to 18 June, Artau donated property to Santa Maria.
In September 1050 he and Constance made a donation; on 22 June 1059 he and Lucia; and he and Lucia again on 22 April 1068. Two further donations, of 8 July 1081 and 13 April 1082, throw into question the date of Artau's death and the succession of his son; the second donation was witnessed by another Artau, but this may be Artau III. Artau II was using the comital title as early as 1080.
Raymond IV of Pallars Jussà
Raymond IV was the Count of Pallars Jussà from 1047 until his death in 1098. He was the son and successor of Raymond III and Ermessenda. His reign was characterised by ceaseless wars and litigations with his cousins Artau I and Artau II of Pallars Sobirà, yet it was transformative in the history...
.
Artau was the second son of William II of Pallars Sobirà and his wife Stephanie, a daughter of Ermengol I of Urgell
Ermengol I of Urgell
Ermengol I , called el de Córdoba, was the Count of Urgell from 992 to his death. He was the second son of Borrell II of Barcelona and his first wife, Letgarda...
and Tetberga, who was related to either the Counts of Provence or Forez. His father died in 1035 and was succeeded by his eldest son, Bernard II. When he died in 1049, Artau became count. Artau married twice. His first wife, married before September 1050, was Constance, whose parents are unknown. Artrau took his second wife, Lucia (Llúcia), on 27 January 1057. She was a daughter of Bernard I of La Marche and thus a sister of Almodis
Almodis de la Marche
Almodis de la Marche was the daughter of Bernard I, Count of Marche and wife Amélie. She married Hugh V of Lusignan around 1038 and they had two sons and one daughter:* Hugh VI of Lusignan * Jordan de Lusignan...
, the wife of Raymond Berengar I of Barcelona. In February 1058, perhaps on the occasion of the actual marriage, Artau granted control of two castles to the count of Barcelona and four to his new wife on top of her dowry
Dowry
A dowry is the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings forth to the marriage. It contrasts with bride price, which is paid to the bride's parents, and dower, which is property settled on the bride herself by the groom at the time of marriage. The same culture may simultaneously practice both...
. She bore him three sons: Artau II
Artau II of Pallars Sobirà
Artau II , the Count of Pallars Sobirà from 1081 until his death c.1115, was active in the Reconquista and sometimes referred to himself as comes et marchio , because he governed a frontier district...
, his eldest son and heir; Ot, who became Bishop of Urgell; and William. She may have born Artau a daughter named Maria.
In relation to his military operations both defensive and offensive directed against the county of Pallars Jussà, Artau constructed several new castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
s: Montcortés, Peramea, Bresca, and Baén. In 1064 Artau and Raymond of Pallars Jussà reached their first of several convenientia (agreements). Artau was forced to grant a castle to Raymond as a pledge to hold future negotiations. A second agreement of this sort was reached on 30 May 1067: Artau ceded the monastery of Santa Maria de Lavaix and quitclaimed several villages (villae) to Raymond. Around 1080 a series of convenientia were made between Raymond and either Artau I or Artau II. This time Raymond gave up the right to control (potestas) the castle of Talarn
Talarn
Talarn is a municipality in the comarca of the Pallars Jussà in Catalonia, Spain. It is situated in the centre of the Tremp basin, on the Noguera Pallaresa river below the Sant Antoni reservoir. It is the site of a hydroelectric power station and of a training school of the Spanish army...
to two of his chief magnates, Pere Ramon I d'Erill and Mir Guirreta II de Bellera, while Artau granted the same of his castle of Salás to two of his men, Guillem Guitard de Vallferrera and Ramon Bernat. Both castles stood not far apart on opposite sides of the Noguera Pallaresa
Noguera Pallaresa
The Noguera Pallaresa is a river in Catalonia, Spain. Its source is at Era Font d'era Noguereta in the municipality of Naut Aran at an elevation of about 2000 m and barely a hundred meters from those of the Garonne...
where it defined the border of the two counties. The final settlement and exchange of castles took place in the presence of Sancho Ramírez, King of Aragon. At the same time this Artau, whether father or son, came to an agreement with the king over a prior dispute.
Artau was a patron of the monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
of Santa Maria de Gerri
Santa Maria de Gerri
Santa Maria de Gerri is a monastery in Gerri de la Sal, in the comarca of Pallars Sobirà, Catalonia, Spain, situated on the shores of the Noguera Pallaresa river.-History:...
. In a surviving pre-1070 charter
Charter
A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified...
dated to 18 June, Artau donated property to Santa Maria.
In September 1050 he and Constance made a donation; on 22 June 1059 he and Lucia; and he and Lucia again on 22 April 1068. Two further donations, of 8 July 1081 and 13 April 1082, throw into question the date of Artau's death and the succession of his son; the second donation was witnessed by another Artau, but this may be Artau III. Artau II was using the comital title as early as 1080.