House of Moncada

Arms of the House of Moncada.

The House of Moncada is an aristocratic and noble Spanish Catalan House.

History

The House of Moncada was started by Guillem I de Muntanyola or de Vacarisas (b. ? - d. 1040). He was the son of Sunifred, the Vizconde de Gerona (Viscount of Gerona) who was granted the castle and lands of Moncada in Montcada i Reixac, Barcelona. Guillem I took the name Guillermo I de Moncada in accordance with proper naming traditions upon being granted a landed title. Guillermo I married Adelaida de Claramunt (b. 1000 - d. 1063). Their first child, Ramón I de Moncada II Señor del Castillo de Moncada was appointed the office of Senescal de Barcelona and of Cataluña. Their second son, Bernat I de Moncada became the Ardiaca de Barcelona. The third son, Renard de Moncada went on to become the Señor del Castillo (lord) of Roca del Vallés and became the first head of the House of Sarroca or La Roca.

One of Ramón I's grandchildren, Guillén Ramón I de Moncada (b. ? - d. 1173), known as the Gran Senescal or the Dapifer became one of the infamous Nueve Barones de la Fama who were the most influential nobles in the court of the Count of Barcelona. He became the Senescal of Ramon Berenguer III of Barcelona, Ramon Berenguer IV of Barcelona, and of Alfonso I of Aragón. During the governance of Ramón Berenguer IV, he negotiated the count's marriage with Petronilla of Aragon, the daughter of Alfonso I. This power move was the masterstroke in uniting the Kingdom of Aragon and the County of Barcelona. Guillermo Ramón was also present during the military campaigns in Tortosa, and Fraga. He married his cousin, Beatriz de Moncada (another grandchild of Ramón I de Moncada and the couple had two children. The firstborn, Guillermo de Moncada inherited the Viscounty of Bearne which passed in 1309 to the House of Foix-Castellbò. The second son, Ramón de Moncada el Viejo became the fourth Senescal and began the line of the lords of Tortosa and later of Fraga. His own son, Ramón de Moncada el Joven died fighting at the Battle of Portopí along with James I of Aragon in the Conquest of Majorca. His second son, Guillem Ramón married Constanza de Aragón, daughter of Peter II of Aragon and began a line that would hold lordship over Aitona. His cousin went on to further found a line of the family that moved to Sicily where they collaborated with the Sicilian Vespers.

The Moncadas would go on to extend their roots throughout Spain and parts of Europe. They intermarried with the noble houses of Aragón, Cardona, Bearne, Ayerbe, Cervera, Luna, Anglesola, Cornell, Aitona, Albalat, Abarca, Queralt, Vilaragut, Urgel, Entença, Illa Jordà, Pinós, Lloria, Seros, Vilamarxant, Ribelles, Lioro, Tolsà, Caltanissetta, Vallgornera, Ventimiglia, Fenollar, and Sarrià amongst others.

See also

References

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