Family History 2.07

Bigelow History: pre-1630

 

Berenguer Ramon, Count of Barcelona

 

Berenguer Ramon succeeded his father in 1018 as a young child, and was controlled by his mother, Ermesunde, who was a strong, dominating woman. As a result, Berenguer Ramon is portrayed as weak and ineffective as a ruler. Even when he became of age, his mother refused to relinquish her regency, and continued to rule the county along with him.

 

 

The nobles of the districts under his rule were always spoiling for a fight with the Moors, because they were able to enrich themselves from the plunder they took in raids. But Berenguer Ramon was a peaceful man, who maintained good relations with his neighbours, like the Moorish leaders, and the Pope, and especially with his own overlord, the King of Navarre.

 

In fact, Berenguer Ramon was always plotting with the Navarre ruler how to get the better of the King of Toulouse.

 

Anyway, the result of the strain between the nobility and his mother, her inability to meet their demands, and Berenguer Ramon's ineffectiveness in dealing with them all, meant that the power of the county was eroded. In the event Ermesunde split the area into three counties and gave each of Berenguer Ramon's three sons a share each.

 

Berenguer Ramon died in 1035.