Aznar Sánchez of Gascony

Who was Aznar Sánchez of Gascony?

Aznar Sánchez was the Duke of Gascony from 820. He was the supposed son of Sancho I of Gascony, though he has been identified with Aznar Galíndez I, Count of Aragon.

In 820, Lupo III Centule rose in rebellion against Carolingian authority and Berengar of Toulouse and Guerin of Provence marched against him, defeated him, and installed Aznar, a count of local provenance, in his place. However, both Aragon and Navarre remained outside Carolingian control and western Gascony continued in revolt.

In 824, according to the Vita Hludowici, the counts Aznar and Aeblus led an army against rebellious Pamplona. According to the Annales regni Francorum of Einhard, they brought a great deal of wealth with them. They were defeated in a "second Roncesvalles" and Pamplona gained its independence while the two counts were captured. Aznar, however, being a relative of his captors, according to Astronomus, was released.

Aznar fell out with Berengar's successor in the March of Gothia, Bernard of Septimania. In 828, Gascony revolted again. In 836, Aznar was killed putting down a revolt in Gascony, which had been in tumult since his absence of 824, and was replaced by his brother Sancho, despite the objections of King Pepin.