Ariberga

Succession

In 680, Wamba fell ill or (according to the Chronicle of Alfonso III two hundred years later) was poisoned in Pampliega, near Burgos. He received the order of penance in anticipation of his death, and as a result was forced to step down as king upon his recovery. The Chronicle of Alfonso III blames Wamba's successor Erwig for this; some modern commentators have blamed Julian of Toledo, who was made primate of the Visigothic church by Erwig (in reward for his services?).[9] But Julian perpetuated the memory of Wamba in his account of the revolt of Paul, Historia Wambae Regís.

Ironically, it was Wamba's nephew, son of his sister Ariberga, Ergica, who married Erwig's daughter and became the new king at his father in law's death.

Family

Project MedLands, VANDALS, SUEVI & VISIGOTHS

Two siblings, parents not known:

• 1. WAMBA (-after 687[331], bur [Villa Gérticos], transferred 13th century to Toledo[332]). On the death of King Recesvinto in 672, he was acclaimed as WAMBA King of the Visigoths at Gérticos, where his predecessor had died, without waiting to be elected in Toledo in line with previous practice although he was anointed as king at Toledo 19 Sep 672[333]. The History of King Wamba was written by Julian Bishop of Toledo in [675][334], reviewed in detail by Teillet[335]. The Continuator of Isidor's Historia Gothorum, Wandalorum, Sueborum records the accession of "Wamba" and his reign of 8 years[336]. The Chronicle of Alfonso III records that Wamba was elected king "in the era 710 (672)" but "at first declined, not wanting to assume power, but he finally accepted against his will what the army requested…was taken to Toledo and anointed king in the church of St Mary"[337]. In Summer 673, King Wamba suppressed the revolt of Paulus, whom the king had sent to Septimania to suppress another rebellion, punishing the culprits severely[338]. He introduced compulsory military service, with property confiscation and loss of civil rights for non-attendance. King Wamba was deposed by Ervigio in 680 and retired to the monastery of Pampliega near Burgos. The Chronicle of Alfonso III records that Ervigio gave Wamba "a herb called spartus to drink and immediately Wamba's memory was taken away", recording that after he recovered Wamba retired to a monastery where he lived for seven years and three months and "died a natural death in the era 719 (681)"[339]. Laterculus regum Visigothorum records the death "Id Oct aera 718" of "Wamba"[340]. The Chronica Regum Visigotthorum records that “Wamba Rex” reigned for eight years, one month, and 14 days, and died “pridie Id Oct 719”[341].
• 2. [--- . m ---.] One child:
  • a) EGICA (-Toledo end 702). The Chronicle of Alfonso III names "the nobleman Egica, nephew of Wamba" when recording his marriage[342]. [same person as...? EGICA (-after Nov 683). Dux. …. The Chronicle of Alfonso III records the marriage of "the nobleman Egica, nephew of Wamba" and "Ervig…his daughter Cixilo"[348]. Her birth date range is estimated from (1) the estimated birth and marriage dates of her father, based on the arrival of her grandfather in Spain during the reign of King Chindasvinto, and (2) the birth of her son Witiza before her repudiation. Given this tight birth date range, it is likely that Cixilo was her father's eldest child. Her parentage and marriage are confirmed by the charter dated to [680/86] which records that "socer noster Ervigius princeps…domina mea Leuvitona regina" granted "filiam suam" as wife of "Egicæ regis"[349]. The Chronicle of Alfonso III records her repudiation "when [King Ervigio] ascended the throne"[350]. ….