Theodofredo, of the Visigoths

Not the father of Favila, duque de Cantabria

Biography

From the works of Washington Irving (pp 296-300)

"Such was the state of Spain when, in the year of Redemption 701, Witiza was elected to the Gothic throne. The beginning of his reign gave promise of happy days to Spain. He redressed grievances, moder.ucd the tributes of his subjects, and conducted himself with mingled mildness and energy in the administration of the laws. In a little while, however, he threw off the mask, and showed himself in his true nature, cruel and luxurious.

Two of his relatives, sons of a preceding king, awakened his jealousy for the security of his throne. One of them, named Favila, duke of Cantabria, he put to death, and would have inflicted the same fate upon his son Pelayo, but that the youth was beyond his reach, being preserved by Providence for the future salvation of Spain. The other object of his suspicion was Theodofredo, who lived retired from court. The violence of Witiza reached him e en in his retirement. His eyes were put out, and he was immured within a castle at Cordova. Roderick, the youthful son of Theodofredo, escaped to Italy, where he received protection from the Romans.

Family

Chindasuinth was succeeded by his eldest son, Recceswinth, who continued his reforms. A younger son, Theodofred, was blinded by Wamba.

Marriage

m. (after 687) Ricilo UNKNOWN.

Issue: 4[3]

1. Rodrigo, King of the Visigoths: Spain (688/90 Córdoba - 20 Jul 711 Guadalete). m. Egilona "Eilo"[4]
2. ____ (unknown)
3. dau ______ (unknown)
4. (disputed) Fafila (d. ante 702)[5]. SEE Favila, duque de Cantabria

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“SPAIN: VANDALS, SUEVI & VISIGOTHS". fmg.ac. Retrieved 2023-01-11

b) THEODOFREDO ([645/53]-after 702). The Chronicle of Alfonso III names "Theodefred…the son of King Chindasuinth, his father abandoning him at a young age", adding that King Egica ordered him to be blinded when he reached maturity[306], presumably aiming to exclude him from the succession in line with the practice in the Eastern Empire, where blindness was considered an impediment to ruling and therefore constituted an effective way of disempowering an opponent short of killing him (although many did succumb as a result of the treatment). It is not recorded whether the punishment was carried out. The same source records that Theodofredo settled in Córdoba. The Chronicle of Alfonso III records that he was murdered by Witiza King of the Visigoths[307]. m (after 687) RICILO, daughter of ---. The Chronicle of Alfonso III records that Theodefredo "chose a wife…Ricilo, from a noble family" during his exile[308].

Theodofredo & his wife had [four] children:

• i) RODRIGO (Córdoba [688/90]-killed in battle Guadalete [20] Jul 711). … He was elected to succeed in 710 as RODRIGO King of the Visigoths in Spain. m as her first husband, EGILONA [Eilo], daughter of ---. She married secondly Abd al-Aziz, Governor of Seville.
• ii) [--- . m ---.] One child: (a) [son .
• iii) [daughter . m ---.] One child: (a) BENGO
• iv) DISPUTED [FAFILA (-[murdered before 702]). According to Barrau-Dihigo, Fáfila's alleged possible family relationship with the Visigothic kings was an invention of the 18th century [327]. [Duque de Cantabria] [KINGS of ASTURIAS.]

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Origins

• 1. CHINDASVINTO (-Toledo 1 Oct 653). He was elected to succeed in 642 as CHINDASVINTO King of the Visigoths after deposing King Tulga, an act which was condoned by the seventh council of Toledo convened by the new king specially for the purpose. … The Chronica Regum Visigotthorum records that “Chindusvinthus” reigned alone for six years, eight months and eleven days, and with “filio suo Reccesvintho” four years, eight months and eleven days, and died “pridie Kal Oct 691”[295]. m REKIBERGA, daughter of --- (-after 18 Oct 646). "Chindasvintux rex et Reciverga regina" donated property to "monasterium…iuxta rivulum…Molina sub monte Irago" by charter dated 18 Oct 646[296]. Nothing is known about the family origin of King Chindasvinto´s wife, or whether this named wife was the mother of both his children who are named below. The estimated birth date of the king’s son Theodefredo suggests that he may have been the son of Rekiberga. King Chindasvinto and [his wife] had two children:
  • a) RECESVINTO (-Villa of Gérticos [Wamba, Valladolid][297] 1 Sep 672, bur [G%C3%A9rticos], transferred 13th century to Toledo[298]). The Chronica Regum Visigotthorum records that “Chindusvinthus” reigned with “filio suo Reccesvintho” four years, eight months and eleven days, and that Recesvinto ruled alone 23 years, seven months and eleven days, and died “Kal Sep A.D. 672”[305].
  • b) THEODOFREDO ([645/53]-after 702). The Chronicle of Alfonso III names "Theodefred…the son of King Chindasuinth, his father abandoning him at a young age", adding that King Egica ordered him to be blinded when he reached maturity[306], m (after 687) RICILO, daughter of ---. The Chronicle of Alfonso III records that Theodefredo "chose a wife…Ricilo, from a noble family" during his exile[308]. Theodofredo & his wife had [four] children: …

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References

• https://fabpedigree.com/s088/f415171.htm (unreliable source)
• Duque de Córdoba FUENTES:
• -http://www.abcgenealogia.com/Godos00.html