CATALONIA (470-1150 A.D.)
470 Gothalania (Catalonia) was the name bestowed on the northeastern section of Hispania Tarraconensis in consequence of its occupation by the Goths and Alans (470).
712 Berbers take possession of the whole Catalonian territory. At the end of the eighth century Charlemagne’s troops, under command of Louis le Débonnaire, invade Catalonia, and conquer a district including Barcelona, Lerida, Tarragona, and Tortosa which they call the Marca Hispanica or Spanish Mark. Bera, a native of Gothic Gaul, becomes count of Barcelona and the Mark, and tyrannises over the country. Counts of Rosello, Ampurias, Besalu, Cerdagne, Pallars, and Urgel appointed. Frequent conflicts with the Moors in which the Frankish armies join and waste the southern districts.
814 Death of Charlemagne. Septimania becomes united with the Spanish Mark.
826 Bera, being deposed for treasonable dealings with Al Hakim of Cordova, is succeeded as duke of Septimania, by Bernhard, son of William of Toulouse, who plays an important rôle in Frankish history.
832 Bernhard aids Pepin, king of Aquitaine, in rebellion against Louis le Débonnaire and is deprived of his dignities.
836 Bernhard reinstated in his duchy.
840 Charles the Bald succeeds to Catalonia on the death of Louis le Débonnaire. Bernhard at first refuses and then offers his allegiance; but afterwards aiming at independence is murdered by Charles. William, Bernhard’s son, seeks refuge with Abd ar-Rahman.
846 Aledran made count of Barcelona by Charles. William wages successful war against him, but is finally murdered. Frankish dominion restored. Narbonensian Gaul is taken from the Spanish Mark and added to Toulouse.
852 Barcelona retaken by the Moors. They retain possession during twelve years.
858 Wilfrid I (Wilfredo or Hunfrido I) count of Barcelona. He takes possession of Toulouse, etc. Summoned to Narbonne to justify himself, he is there slain in a petty fray and is succeeded by
872 Salomon, who is murdered in revenge for Wilfrid’s death by the latter’s son.
874 Wilfred (II) the Hairy, who successfully repels the Moors, makes himself independent of France and leaves his territory to his son
907 Miro, who bequeaths it to his three sons, Seniofredo, Oliva, and Miro, under the regency of their uncle Suniario, count of Urgel.
950 Seniofredo.
967 Borello, son of Suniario.
984 Almansor takes Barcelona, slaughters the inhabitants, and burns a great part of the city. Borello recovers Barcelona and expels the invaders.
993 Raymond I repels a Moorish invasion and wins a battle against Suleiman of Cordova
1009 which places the usurper Muhammed I on the throne. The Catalans take the lead in an unsuccessful crusade against the Moorish pirates of the Balearic Islands.
1017 Berengar I organises the country and grants privileges to Barcelona and other towns.
1035 Raymond II wins victories over the Moors of Saragossa and becomes sovereign of all Catalonia. He abolishes the old Gothic laws, substituting the
1068 Usages of Catalonia, and institutes the Peace of God in an assembly of the Estates which is the earliest occasion in European history on which deputies are summoned from the towns. By marriage and purchase he acquires Conflans, Carcassonne, Narbonne, Toulouse, and other French possessions. Bequeaths his dominions to his two sons as joint rulers.
1076 Raymond (III) the Hairy quarrels with his brother Berengar. The nobles effect a settlement whereby each is to reign alternately for six months. Raymond is murdered, probably at Berengar’s instigation. Berengar governs alone as guardian for Raymond III’s son.
1082 Raymond IV. Bernard Atto, vicomte de Béziers, usurps the lordship of Carcassonne. The people appeal to Raymond from his oppressions. He becomes a vassal of Raymond. By marriage and inheritance Raymond acquires Besalu (1111), Provence, and Cerdagne (1117), and conquers Majorca. Provence passes on his death to his son Berengar.
1131 Raymond V.
1137 On Raymond’s betrothal to Petronilla, daughter of Ramiro the Monk, king of Aragon, he is declared heir to the throne of Aragon and assumes the administration of that kingdom.
1150 Marriage of Raymond and Petronilla confirms union of Catalonia and Aragon.