Ava of Ribagorza, Countess of Castile

Ava of Ribagorza (Catalan: Ribagorça) (fl. 988), was countess consort of Castile by marriage to García Fernández of Castile.

Ava of Ribagorza

Early life

She was born to Raymond II, Count of Ribagorza, and Garsenda Fesenzac. She married García Fernández of Castile, with whom she had several children. She participated with her spouse in several donations to various convents.


Ava has been the subject of several legends that depict her in a negative light, and pointed out as involved in several of the conflicts and rebellions which occurred in Castile during the reign of her spouse. One known legend, named la llegenda de la comtessa traïdora ('The Legend of the Traitorous Countess'), she betrayed García Fernández, who was taken captured in a raid by the Moors and killed, after having committed adultery with Al-Aziz Billah. Legend also accuse her of having encouraged her son Sancho in his rebellion against his father. The legends can probably be contributed to hostility to her as a foreigner in Castile: she is also identified as the leader of a more pacifist line at court, in opposition to the military line of her spouse against the Moors, which could also account for her bad publicity.

According to the legend, after the death of her spouse, she attempted to poison his successor and her son by handing him a cup of poison, because she wished to marry Al-Aziz Billah; he, however, forced her to drink it herself, which resulted in her death. The date of her death is in fact unknown: it is only known, that the year of 988 is the last year in which she can be confirmed alive.

Issue

References
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