Ramon Borrell, Count of Barcelona

Ramon Borrell (Catalan: Ramon Borrell, Spanish: Ramón Borrell) (972-1017), was count of Barcelona, Girona, and Ausona from 992. Son of Borrell II of Barcelona and Letgarda of Rouergue. He was associated with his father in ruling the counties from 988.

In 993 he married Ermesinde of Carcassonne with whom he had three children: Borrell Ramon (died young before 1017), Berengar Raymond (c.1006), and Estefania/Adelaide, who married Roger I of Tosny.

Between 1000 and 1002 Ramon had to deal with a number of incursions by Al-Mansur. However Al-Mansur was killed in Battle of Calatañazor by Navarran and Leonese forces. Seeing an opportunity Ramon counter-attacked in 1003 leading an expedition to Lleida. However this prompted a new raid on the County of Barcelona by Al-Mansur's son, Abd al-Malik. This was defeated by an alliance of Christian forces at the Battle of Torà. Ramon was also present at the Battle of Albesa shortly thereafter.

In 1010, with the Cordoban Caliphate crumbling into civil war, Ramon saw another opportunity. He organised a campaign against the Caliphate with Ermengol I of Urgell and Bernard I of Besalú, and joined forces with Muhammad II of Córdoba. The army destroyed the forces of Caliph Sulayman II and sacked Córdoba. As a result Catalonia remained free from further Moorish dominion. Ermengol died in battle on September 1 at Córdoba. On 2 June 1010, Ramon participated in the Battle of Aqbat al-Bakr on the side of the Muslim rebels as part of the Andalusian civil wars or the Fitna of al-Ándalus.

In 1015 and 1016 Ramon made further expeditions to the rivers Ebro and Segre. The treasure obtained from these campaigns maintained the loyalty of his barons.

In the County of Barcelona he ensured the repopulation of the Segarra, Conca de Barberà and Camp de Tarragona. He began the construction of the cathedral in Barcelona. He was also the first Catalan ruler to mint his own coinage.

At his death in 1017, he was succeeded by his son Berengar Raymond under the regency of his mother. He was buried at Barcelona Cathedral, but his grave was lost.

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