Aznar Galíndez I

Who was Aznar Galíndez I?

Aznar Galíndez I was a Basque Count of Aragon and Conflent from 809 and Cerdanya and Urgell from 820. Aznar has been confused with Aznar Sánchez, Duke of Gascony, and some authorities have even considered the two like-named contemporaries to be one and the same person.

Aznar succeeded Aureolus as count of the valley of the River Aragón on the latter's death in 809. Some sources indicate him as count of Jaca, which was probably the seat of his authority within the valley. He was installed by the King of Aquitaine, Pepin I, and remained a Frankish vassal. In 820, he was overthrown by his son-in-law García the Bad, supported by Iñigo Arista's Navarrese forces.

He took refuge in the Vasconia that remained suzerain to the Franks, and was appointed count in Urgel and Cerdagne.

He had four children:

⁕Matrona, who married García the Bad, but was repudiated when he overthrew her father

⁕Eilona, named as daughter of count Aznar Galíndez in an 862 charter of her nephew, Guntislo

⁕Centullo, murdered by his brother-in-law García the Bad

⁕Galindo Aznárez I, later Count of Aragon