Vímara Peres
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Vímara Peres, Count of Portugal (Galicia, circa 820 – Guimarães, 873)[1] was a Christian crusading duke of the 9th century in west Iberia. He was a vassal of the King of Asturias, Léon and Galicia, Alfonso III, and was sent to reconquer and secure from the Moors (Arabs and Berbers who had invaded Visigothic Hispania), in the west coastal fringe of Gallaecia, the area from the Minho River to the Douro River, including the city of Portus Cale, later Porto and Gaia, from were the name and political entity of Portugal emerged.
In 868 Count Vímara Peres established the First County of Portugal (Portuguese: Condado de Portucale), after the reconquest of the region north of the Douro river. This was the earliest milestone in the history of the state of Portugal, although full Portuguese independence was not achieved until the 12th century.
He was able to expel the Moors and founded a fortified town under his own name Vimaranis (of Vimar) which later became Guimaranis, present day Guimarães (the Portuguese call it "The Cradle City").
Vímara Peres died in 873 in Guimarães. His son, Lucídio Vimaranes (Lucídio, son of Vímara), took control of the county. The dynasty of his House lasted until 1071 when Count Nuno Mendes was defeated by King Garcia II of Galicia (after conquering Portugal he was King García II of Galicia and Portugal) in the Battle of Pedroso.
Note that in Medieval Iberia, Count was a title and position equivalent to that of Duke.
[edit] Notes
- ^ From Vímara (Weimar or Guimar) and the patronymic Peres (son of Pedro – Peter).
