Fortún Galíndez

Fortún Galíndez (floruit 924–972) was a powerful nobleman in the Kingdom of Navarre in the tenth century. He is the only recorded Navarrese of that time to bear the title dux (duke). He was entrusted by Sancho I with the newly conquered territory of the Rioja Alta around Nájera. In 924 he held the title senior in Naiera (lord in Nájera); from 942 he was praefectus in Naiera (prefect in Nájera); and from 950 he was titled dux. He appears to have governed the Rioja with quasi-regal authority, part of a Navarrese experiment in creating a new kingdom, which would be the Kingdom of Viguera.

Based on his patronymic, Fortún's father must have been Galindo. From 924 to 943 Fortún used the title senior or sennor (lord, señor). He was with the royal court frequently during this period, witnessing several royal donations. On 28 October 924 Fortún witnessed the transfer of the monastery of San Pedro de Usún to the diocese of Oya, in which charter he is titled "lord of Nájera". On 26 June 933 he witnessed a royal donation of property to the Riojan monastery of San Martín de Albelda. His last appearance with the low rank of sennor is a royal charter for San Millán de la Cogolla. When García Sánchez I and his queen Tarasia made another donation in 946, he did not subscribe with any title. On 22 November 947 he witnessed a donation of García and the queen mother, Tuta, to Albelda, again untitled.

Private charters of the following period sometimes refer to the "reign" of Fortún Galíndez in Nájera. One grant to Albelda is dated to the time while "García Sánchez [was] reigning in Pamplona, [and] Fortún Galíndez in Nájera" (regnante Garsea Sancionis in Pampilona, Fortuni Galindonis in Nagera). On 15 April 958 a certain Muza and his sister Tota made a donation to Albelda while "king García Sánchez [was] reigning in Pamplona, and under him Fortún Galíndez in Néjera" (regnante [...] rex Garcia Sanciz in Pampilona, et sub eius Fortun Galindonis in Nagera).

...
Wikipedia