Wittiza, Visigothic King of Hispania

• Son of Egica I, rey de los visigodos and Cixilo [mother is debated]

Project MedLands, VANDALS, SUEVI & VISIGOTHS

WITIZA, son of EGICA King of the Visigoths & [his wife Cixilo ] ([681/86]-Toledo early 710). The Chronicle of Alfonso III names "Witiza" as the son of Egica and his wife, born before her repudiation[381]. The Continuator of Isidor's Historia Gothorum, Wandalorum, Sueborum records that Egica associated "Wittizanem filium" on the throne[382]. The Chronica Regum Visigotthorum records that “Witiza” was anointed king “XVII Kal Dec era 738” [Nov 700][383]. According to the Chronicle of Alfonso III, his father ordered Witiza to live "in the city of Tuy so that, while the father held the kingship of the Goths, the son would rule the Suevi"[384]. He was elected to succeed his father in 702 as WITIZA King of the Visigoths. The Chronicle of Alfonso III records the succession of Witiza "in the era 739 (701)", commenting that "he was a reprobate and was disgraceful in his habits…took many wives and concubines"[385]. Falcón comments that he was a conciliatory monarch, pardoning many of the conspirators punished by his father[386]. He murdered Theodofredo, father of the future King Rodrigo. The Chronicle of King Alfonso III, written in [754], blamed the success of the Muslim invasion on King Witiza's immorality, and records his "natural death in Toledo in the era 749 (711)"[387]. The Ajbar Machmua records the death of "el rey de España Gaitixa" leaving "algunos hijos, entre ellos Obba y Sisberto", undated[388]. married ?. The name of Witiza's wife or wives is not known. Ibn-el Kouthya names "Almounz, Roumlouh et Ardebast" as the three sons of "le dernier des rois Goths en Andalousie…Witiza…encore en bas âge", adding that their mother "prit la régence et gouverna en leur nom à Tolède" but that "Rodrigue…le caid des armées du monarque défunt…vint établir sa residence à Cordoue"[389].

King Witiza and [his wife] had three children:

• 1. AKILA ([700/06]-). Ibn-el Kouthya names "Almounz, Roumlouh et Ardebast" as the three sons of "le dernier des rois Goths en Andalousie…Witiza…encore en bas âge", adding that their mother "prit la régence et gouverna en leur nom à Tolède" but that "Rodrigue…le caid des armées du monarque défunt…vint établir sa residence à Cordoue"[390]. He and his brothers must have been infants when their father died given the chronology of dates of birth and marriage of their parents, all based on the arrival of Ardabasto at the Visigothic court during the reign of King Chindasvinto as reported in the Chronicle of Alfonso III (see above). Ibn-el Kouthya states that Rodrigo asked for assistance from "les fils de Witiza, qui avaient déjà attaint l'âge de puberté et pouvaient monter à cheval", but that "Almounz…avec ses deux frères" betrayed Rodrigo and informed "Tharik fils de Ziad"[391]. The Chronicle of Alfonso III records that "the Saracens entered Spain on account of the treachery of the sons of Witiza"[392]. Given Akila´s estimated birth date, it is unlikely that any of these reports can be correct. It appears that Akila and his brothers were allowed to retain their lands in Andalucía following the Muslim invasion[393]: Ibn-el Kouthya records that "Almounz" established a court in Seville and possessed "mille villages dans la partie occidentale de l'Espagne"[394]. m ---. The name of Akila's wife is not known.

Akila & his wife had three children:

• a) SARA ([720/25]-). Ibn-el Kouthya names "une fille…Sara la Gothe et deux fils en bas âge, Mathroubal et Oppas, l'un à Séville et l'autre en Galice" as the children of "Almounz" and that "leur oncle Ardebast" seized their domains, adding that "la princesse Sarah se créa une cour à Seville"[395]. Ibn-el Kouthya records that "la princesse Sarah [et] ses jeunes frères" left for Syria and complained to "Hisham, fils d'Abd-el-Malek" about the conduct of her uncle, adding that there she first met "Abd-er-Rahman, fils de Moawia, qui était encore enfant" (his birth is dated to [729][396]. Ibn-el Kouthya records that "la princesse Sarah" returned to Spain with "Aïça fils de Mozahim" who restored her possessions to her and became her husband, by whom she had "deux enfants, Ibrahim et Ishak" before he died "la meme année qu'Abd-errahman fils de Moawia" arrived in Spain (in 755)[397]. Ibn-el Kouthya records that "Hamouih fils de Molamis el-Mazadji et Omaïr, fils de Saïd el-Lakhmi" competed for her hand after her first husband died, and that she married Omar "grace à l'appui de Tsalaba, fils d'Obeïd el-Djozami", and that by him she had "Habib, fils d'Omaïr, qui fut la souche des Benou-Seïd, des Benou-Haddjadj, des Benou-Maslama et des Benou-Djourz…à Seville"[398]. Her descendants by her first marriage founded the dynasty to which Ibn el-Kouthya, the 9th century historian, belonged[399]. married firstly ([735/50]) AISA, son of MOZAHIM (-755). married secondly OMAR, son of SAID el-Lakhmi.
  
• b) MADRUBAL . Ibn-el Kouthya names "une fille…Sara la Gothe et deux fils en bas âge, Mathroubal et Oppas, l'un à Séville et l'autre en Galice" as the children of "Almounz" and that "leur oncle Ardebast" seized their domains[400].
  
• c) OPPA (-Galicia ). Ibn-el Kouthya names "une fille…Sara la Gothe et deux fils en bas âge, Mathroubal et Oppas, l'un à Séville et l'autre en Galice où il mourut" as the children of "Almounz" and that "leur oncle Ardebast" seized their domains[401].
  

• 2. OLMUNDO ([701/08]-). Ibn-el Kouthya names "Almounz, Roumlouh et Ardebast" as the three sons of "le dernier des rois Goths en Andalousie…Witiza…encore en bas âge", adding that their mother "prit la régence et gouverna en leur nom à Tolède" but that "Rodrigue…le caid des armées du monarque défunt…vint établir sa residence à Cordoue"[402]. Ibn-el Kouthya records that "Roumlouh" possessed "mille villages situés dans la partie orientale de l'Andalousie", chose Toledo as his capital, and was ancestor of "Hafs, fils d'El-Borkadi l'Etranger"[403].
• 3. ARDABASTO ([702/09]-after 756). Ibn-el Kouthya names "Almounz, Roumlouh et Ardebast" as the three sons of "le dernier des rois Goths en Andalousie…Witiza…encore en bas âge", adding that their mother "prit la régence et gouverna en leur nom à Tolède" but that "Rodrigue…le caid des armées du monarque défunt…vint établir sa residence à Cordoue"[404]. Ibn-el Kouthya records that "Ardebast" remained in Córdoba and possessed "mille villages…au centre du pays" and was ancestor "en ligne directe d'Abou Said le Comte"[405]. Ibn-el Kouthya records that "leur oncle Ardebast" seized the domains of the children of "Almounz" after he died "au commencement du règne du khalife Hicham, fils d'Abd-el-Malek" (who reigned from 724 to 741)[406]. Ibn-el Kouthya records that Abd er-Rahman ordered the confiscation of his lands from "Ardebast" but later appointed him "le premier comte de l'Espagne musulmane" and returned some of his lands[

Project MedLands, VANDALS, SUEVI & VISIGOTHS

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. “...Egica comes scanciarum et dux...” subscribed the document dated Nov 683 which records the acts of the concilium of Toledo XIII[343]. García Moreno, in his Prosopografía del reino visigodo de Toledo, suggest that dux Egica was the same person as King Egica[344].] Egica was one of the chief opponents of King Ervigio, whose daughter he married, and who nominated him as his successor as a means of maintaining power. He was elected to succeed his father-in-law in 687 as EGICA King of the Visigoths. The Chronica Regum Visigotthorum records that “Egica” was anointed king “in ecclesia sanctorum Petri et Pauli Prætoriensis…VIII Kal Dec…era 725”[345]. After his accession, he forced his predecessor's queen to retire to a nunnery. He was faced with numerous rebellions from among the nobility, which he punished severely[346]. The Chronicle of Alfonso III records that Egica ruled for "ten years before the accession of his son and five more years with his son as co-ruler [and]…died a natural death in Toledo"[347]. married ([681/86], repudiated [687]%29 CIXILO the Visigoth, daughter of ERVIGIO King of the Visigoths & his wife Liubigotona ([663/65]-). 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].

King Egica and his wife CIXILO had two children:

• i) WITIZA ([681/86]-Toledo early 710). The Chronicle of Alfonso III names "Witiza" as the son of Egica and his wife, born before her repudiation[351]. He was elected to succeed his father in 702 as WITIZA King of the Visigoths.
  
• ii) OPPA (-after 722). The Continuator of Isidor's Historia Gothorum, Wandalorum, Sueborum names "Oppam filium Egiche regis"[352]. In the Chronicle of Alfonso III, he is described as Bishop of Toledo and son of King Witiza[353], but this is chronologically impossible considering the likely birth date ranges of Witiza's sons. Bishop of Seville. The Chronicle of 754 records that "in the era 749 (711)…Oppa, King Egica's son" helped Musa "arresting [the noble lords] in their flight from Toledo"[354]. The Chronicle of Alfonso III records that he was captured by Pelayo King of Asturias in [722] after the battle of Covadonga, following an attempt to negotiate on behalf of the Muslims
  

Wittiza, by Wikipedia

Wittiza (Witiza, Witica, Witicha, Vitiza, or Witiges; c. 687 – probably 710) was the Visigothic King of Hispania from 694 until his death, co-ruling with his father, Ergica, until 702 or 703.

Joint Rule

Early in his reign, Ergica made it clear that his intention was to secure his family in a position of power from which they could not be removed. Based on a charter dated to Ergica's seventh year (November 693 to November 694) which mentions Wittiza as co-king, it is probable that Wittiza was made co-ruler in 694, even though the Chronicle of 754 places the event in 698. Numismatic analysis of coinage types also supports the thesis that Wittiza ruled from 694. The raising of Wittiza to the kingship coincided with the revolt of Sunifred and may have been either its cause or effect.

On 15 or 24 November 700, Wittiza was anointed king; this forms the last entry in the Chronica Regum Visigothorum, a Visigothic regnal list. The delay between his appointment as co-regent and his unction, to which much importance was ascribed, is most probably explained by his coming of age, likely fourteen, in that year.[4] Wittiza was Ergica's son by Cixilo, daughter of the previous king Erwig, who was dismissed by her husband in late 687 after a short marriage and thus puts a limit on the possible date of birth of Wittiza.

Sometime during the joint reign of Ergica and Wittiza, a Byzantine fleet raided the coasts of southern Hispania and was driven off by Theudimer. The dating of this event is disputed: it may have occurred as part of Leontios' expedition to relieve Carthage in 697; perhaps later, around 702; or perhaps late in Wittiza's reign. A plague broke out at Constantinople in 698 and it spread westward across the Mediterranean reaching Hispania in 701. It was severe enough to force the two kings from their capital of Toledo and it might be that this was the period when Wittiza was sent by his father to rule in Tui in Gallaecia over the regnum Suevorum, an event recorded by the Chronicle of Alfonso III and often dismissed by scholars as nonsense.

Sole Rule

The death of Ergica can be dated to 702 (traditionally) or 703 (based on the fact that Ergica promulgated a law in his sixteenth year, which began on 24 November 702).

Concessions Upon Succession

Soon after his death, the Eighteenth Council of Toledo was held under the supervision of Wittiza and the archbishop of Toledo, either Gunderic or Sindered. The acts of the council are lost to us, but may have been highly controversial, leading to their suppression. Wittiza may have forced the council to force marriage upon the Catholic clergy.[9] There is a reference in the Chronicle of 754 to Wittiza commanding Sindered to exert pressure on the established clergy, but what exactly this means is unknown. It may mean that he pressured the Eighteenth Council to ratify the decision of the Quinisext Council that clerical marriage was permissible: according to the Chronicle of Alfonso III, Fruela I of Asturias (757–768) reversed this ruling. The collective sense is that Wittiza made an effort to reform corruptions in the Visigothic Catholic church.

Of Wittiza's early acts after his father's demise was the rescindment of the exile of several noblemen. He returned their slaves and confiscated property, and reinstated them in their palatine offices. Wittiza also had the cautiones written against them burned publicly. The cautiones were probably pledges, cessions, or confessions the exiles had been forced to sign; or statements of debt to the treasury. Wittiza also returned land which his family was holding to the royal fisc in accordance with the law. All this activity was probably a response to complaints made about his father's rule and which he considered politically wise to correct. The Chronicle of 754 calls Wittiza "merciful", and only criticizes the method of his succession, probably in reference to these events and to the hated Ergica.

Legislation

During his years of sole government, Wittiza promulgated two new laws and issued a revised version of the Liber Iudiciorum.[14] This reissue, too, may be related to the political situation following Ergica's death and Wittiza's need to consolidate his authority and the support of the nobility and the clergy.

Though he himself passed no legislation further oppressing the Jews, Wittiza also probably did not repeal the legislation of his father in that regard. A thirteenth-century chronicle by Lucas of Tuy accuses Wittiza of relieving the oppression of the Jews and being eager for their support in an attempt to smear him as a "Jew-lover." The accuracy of Lucas' statement, despite the lateness of it, has been bolstered by the fact that Lucas was from Tui, the Galician city whereat Wittiza probably ruled as sub-king under his father at one point. Perhaps the people of Tui preserved an oral tradition or perhaps the canons of XVIII Toledo were available to Lucas.

A law sometimes attributed to Ergica which prescribes the caldaria (ordeal of boiling water) for those accused of theft no matter how small the sum has been attributed to Wittiza by some.

Death, Succession Crisis, and Legacy

The date of Wittiza's death and the end of his reign are unknown. The several surviving regnal lists imply a death year of 710 (sometimes with a death month of February) while the Chronicle of 754 implies 711. Whatever the case, the Chronicle strongly implies that he was assassinated in political coup led by Roderic with the support of a faction of nobles. Others believe he died a natural death. At the time, the king was still only in his twenties.

After his death, natural or forced, or deposition, Hispania was divided between rival claimaints: Roderic in the south and Agila II in the north. Agila may have been a son of Wittiza's and a co-monarch (from about 708), but this would require that he be either a child king or that Wittiza not be the son of Cixilo. Others say Wittiza left two sons not yet of age. At the time of his death, "he was beloved in the highest degree by the people and equally hated by the priesthood."

Whatever the actual circumstances surrounding the end of Wittiza's reign, memory of him was not positive a century and a half later. The Chronicle of Moissac, circa 818, wrote that Witicha deditus in feminis exemplo suo sacerdote ac populum luxuriose vivere docuit, irritans furorem Domini: "Wittiza left a poor example to his clergy and his people by his unchaste life, thus provoking the fury of the Lord." The Chronicle of Alfonso III mentions his many wives and mistresses and how he brought "ruin to Hispania", while the Chronicle of 754, written less than a half century after his death, records that he brought "joy and prosperity" to the kingdom.

The "sons of Wittiza", who are otherwise unknown, are made out by the Chronicle of Alfonso III to be traitors who helped deliver Hispania to the Moors. Oppa, a shadowy but historical figure, is reputed to have been either a brother, half-brother, or a son of Wittiza, though the latter is impossible based simply on Wittiza's youthfulness and Oppa's reputed age in 711. According to the Rotensis version of the Chronicle of Alfonso III, Wittiza had three sons: Olmund, Romulus, and Ardabast (Artabasdus), who became count of the Christians of Coimbra. Olmund is a Gothic name, Romulus is Roman, and Ardabast is Greek (originally Armenian).

Legend

According to Washington Irving, in the first part of his 1835 Legends of the Conquest of Spain, Wittiza's reign initially showed great promise. "He redressed grievances, moderated the tributes of his subjects, and conducted himself with mingled mildness and energy in the administration of the laws." However, the honeymoon lasted only a short while. Soon Wittiza "showed himself in his true nature, cruel and luxurious."

Coming to doubt the security of his throne, he ended the careers of two relatives regarded as rivals: Favila, duke of Cantabria, and Theodofred, duke of Córdoba, who lived in retirement at court. Wittiza had Favila killed and Theodofred blinded then imprisoned in the Córdoba dungeon. The son of Favila, who we are told was Pelayo, happened to be elsewhere at the time and was thus spared for the major role he would later play in history. The son of Theodofred was Roderic, duke of Baetica, who escaped to Italy.

At last feeling safe, the king "gave reins to his licentious passions, and soon, by his tyranny and sensuality, acquired the appellation of Witiza the Wicked." Specifically, using secret orders he demolished castles that he feared could be used by future internal enemies, oblivious to the possibility that he was weakening the kingdom's defenses against foreign invaders. And at court, inspired by the custom of Muslim rulers, he "indulged in a plurality of wives and concubines, encouraging his subjects to do the same."

In later times such stories were told of Wittiza because, in opposition to the policies of the Church hierarchy, he had been lenient toward the Jews and had encouraged the clergy to marry. Therefore, when the kingdom met sudden ruin in the first year of his successor Roderic (a favorite of the Church), this was readily explained by alleging that the sins of Wittiza "had drawn down the wrath of Heaven upon the unhappy nation."

As the story goes, it was in an attempt to save Hispania from such divine punishment that the exiled Roderic returned from Italy with an army. Wittiza was soon defeated in the field and taken captive. Roderic was then crowned king at Toledo, after which he avenged his father by having Wittiza blinded and imprisoned at Córdoba. There the former king "passed the brief remnant of his days in perpetual darkness, a prey to wretchedness and remorse." Meanwhile, Wittiza's two sons, Evan and Siseburto, were banished or escaped to Tangier in Africa.

Family notes

Wittiza [1] no wife is mentioned

The "sons of Wittiza", who are otherwise unknown, are made out by the Chronicle of Alfonso III to be traitors who helped deliver Hispania to the Moors. Oppa, a shadowy but historical figure, is reputed to have been either a brother, half-brother, or a son of Wittiza, though the latter is impossible based simply on Wittiza's youthfulness and Oppa's reputed age in 711. According to the Rotensis version of the Chronicle of Alfonso III, Wittiza had three sons: Olmund [ca], Romulus, and Ardabast (Artabasdus), who became Count of the Christians of Coimbra.[27] Olmund is a Gothic name, Romulus is Roman, and Ardabast (Artavasdes) is Persian[28] (through Armenian).

Olmund's daughter, Sara al-Qutiyya, and her brothers had their lands appropriated in the succession crisis, by their uncle Ardabast. She travelled to Damascus to petition Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik for their return, which he then ordered.[29]

Spanish Wikipedia offspring

The Chronicle of the 10th century by Abu Bakr Ibn Umar Ibn Al-Qutiyya - who declared to be a descendant of Witiza through a granddaughter named Sara - establishes that Witiza had three children: Olmundo, Artabas (Artabasdus) and Romulus (Romulus).44 But the acceptance of the veracity of this offspring is not universal.

Some chronicles affirm the existence of a Flavio Sisebuto, judge of the Christians of Coimbra, as the son of Witiza. Some modern genealogists have come to identify this Sisebutus with the Artobas registered in the Arab chronicles. But if this count really existed, by chronology it would be more likely that he was Witiza's brother and not the son.

There has also been speculation that King Agila II, Rodrigo's rival, was one of Witiza's sons, but this is a mistake as a result of contradictory and legendary data from Hispano-Arab historiography.46

Links

• http://www.abcgenealogia.com/Godos00.html
• https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witiza

Aún reinando su padre, Égica, Witiza fue coronado rey del Regnum Suevorum, fijando su sede real en Tude (Tuy/Tui), aunque vale hacer notar que esta ciudad se encontraba situada en la margen portuguesa del río Miño. Sobre este hecho se abren múltiples interrogantes: ¿Porque designar un rey en un territorio ya conquistado en tiempos de Leovigildo, donde un Dux hubiese sido suficiente autoridad? ¿Porqué ubicar la sede en Tude, y no en la tradicional capital del Regnum Suevorum, Braga, la antigua Bracara Augusta de los romanos?

Sin duda fue consecuencia de una situación beligerante, pues tras su entronización la numismática de la época rezaba "Egica Rex Witiza Rex Regnum Concordia"

Asociado al Trono 698, coronado en 700, solo 702, abdicó 710

FUENTES:

-http://www.abcgenealogia.com/Godos00.html

Joint rule

Early in his reign, Ergica made it clear that his intention was to secure his family in a position of power from which they could not be removed. Based on a charter dated to Ergica's seventh year (November 693 to November 694) which mentions Wittiza as co-king, it is probable that Wittiza was made co-ruler in 694, even though the Chronicle of 754 places the event in 698. Numismatic analysis of coinage types also supports the thesis that Wittiza ruled from 694. The raising of Wittiza to the kingship coincided with the revolt of Sunifred and may have been either its cause or effect.

On 15 or 24 November 700, Wittiza was anointed king; this forms the last entry in the Chronica Regum Visigothorum, a Visigothic regnal list. The delay between his appointment as co-regent and his unction, to which much importance was ascribed, is most probably explained by his coming of age, likely fourteen, in that year.[4] Wittiza was Ergica's son by Cixilo, daughter of the previous king Erwig, who was dismissed by her husband in late 687 after a short marriage and thus puts a limit on the possible date of birth of Wittiza.

Sometime during the joint reign of Ergica and Wittiza, a Byzantine fleet raided the coasts of southern Hispania and was driven off by Theudimer. The dating of this event is disputed: it may have occurred as part of Leontios' expedition to relieve Carthage in 697; perhaps later, around 702; or perhaps late in Wittiza's reign. A plague broke out at Constantinople in 698 and it spread westward across the Mediterranean reaching Hispania in 701. It was severe enough to force the two kings from their capital of Toledo and it might be that this was the period when Wittiza was sent by his father to rule in Tui in Gallaecia over the regnum Suevorum, an event recorded by the Chronicle of Alfonso III and often dismissed by scholars as nonsense.

Sole rule

The death of Ergica can be dated to 702 (traditionally) or 703 (based on the fact that Ergica promulgated a law in his sixteenth year, which began on 24 November 702).

Concessions upon succession

Soon after his death, the Eighteenth Council of Toledo was held under the supervision of Wittiza and the archbishop of Toledo, either Gunderic or Sindered. The acts of the council are lost to us, but may have been highly controversial, leading to their suppression. Wittiza may have forced the council to force marriage upon the Catholic clergy.[9] There is a reference in the Chronicle of 754 to Wittiza commanding Sindered to exert pressure on the established clergy, but what exactly this means is unknown. It may mean that he pressured the Eighteenth Council to ratify the decision of the Quinisext Council that clerical marriage was permissible: according to the Chronicle of Alfonso III, Fruela I of Asturias (757–768) reversed this ruling. The collective sense is that Wittiza made an effort to reform corruptions in the Visigothic Catholic church.

Of Wittiza's early acts after his father's demise was the rescindment of the exile of several noblemen. He returned their slaves and confiscated property, and reinstated them in their palatine offices. Wittiza also had the cautiones written against them burned publicly. The cautiones were probably pledges, cessions, or confessions the exiles had been forced to sign; or statements of debt to the treasury. Wittiza also returned land which his family was holding to the royal fisc in accordance with the law. All this activity was probably a response to complaints made about his father's rule and which he considered politically wise to correct. The Chronicle of 754 calls Wittiza "merciful", and only criticizes the method of his succession, probably in reference to these events and to the hated Ergica.

Legislation

During his years of sole government, Wittiza promulgated two new laws and issued a revised version of the Liber Iudiciorum.[14] This reissue, too, may be related to the political situation following Ergica's death and Wittiza's need to consolidate his authority and the support of the nobility and the clergy.

Though he himself passed no legislation further oppressing the Jews, Wittiza also probably did not repeal the legislation of his father in that regard. A thirteenth-century chronicle by Lucas of Tuy accuses Wittiza of relieving the oppression of the Jews and being eager for their support in an attempt to smear him as a "Jew-lover." The accuracy of Lucas' statement, despite the lateness of it, has been bolstered by the fact that Lucas was from Tui, the Galician city whereat Wittiza probably ruled as sub-king under his father at one point. Perhaps the people of Tui preserved an oral tradition or perhaps the canons of XVIII Toledo were available to Lucas.

A law sometimes attributed to Ergica which prescribes the caldaria (ordeal of boiling water) for those accused of theft no matter how small the sum has been attributed to Wittiza by some.

Death, succession crisis, and legacy

The date of Wittiza's death and the end of his reign are unknown. The several surviving regnal lists imply a death year of 710 (sometimes with a death month of February) while the Chronicle of 754 implies 711. Whatever the case, the Chronicle strongly implies that he was assassinated in political coup led by Roderic with the support of a faction of nobles. Others believe he died a natural death. At the time, the king was still only in his twenties.

After his death, natural or forced, or deposition, Hispania was divided between rival claimaints: Roderic in the south and Agila II in the north. Agila may have been a son of Wittiza's and a co-monarch (from about 708), but this would require that he be either a child king or that Wittiza not be the son of Cixilo. Others say Wittiza left two sons not yet of age. At the time of his death, "he was beloved in the highest degree by the people and equally hated by the priesthood."

Whatever the actual circumstances surrounding the end of Wittiza's reign, memory of him was not positive a century and a half later. The Chronicle of Moissac, circa 818, wrote that Witicha deditus in feminis exemplo suo sacerdote ac populum luxuriose vivere docuit, irritans furorem Domini: "Wittiza left a poor example to his clergy and his people by his unchaste life, thus provoking the fury of the Lord." The Chronicle of Alfonso III mentions his many wives and mistresses and how he brought "ruin to Hispania", while the Chronicle of 754, written less than a half century after his death, records that he brought "joy and prosperity" to the kingdom.

The "sons of Wittiza", who are otherwise unknown, are made out by the Chronicle of Alfonso III to be traitors who helped deliver Hispania to the Moors. Oppa, a shadowy but historical figure, is reputed to have been either a brother, half-brother, or a son of Wittiza, though the latter is impossible based simply on Wittiza's youthfulness and Oppa's reputed age in 711. According to the Rotensis version of the Chronicle of Alfonso III, Wittiza had three sons: Olmund, Romulus, and Ardabast (Artabasdus), who became count of the Christians of Coimbra. Olmund is a Gothic name, Romulus is Roman, and Ardabast is Greek (originally Armenian).

Legend

According to Washington Irving, in the first part of his 1835 Legends of the Conquest of Spain, Wittiza's reign initially showed great promise. "He redressed grievances, moderated the tributes of his subjects, and conducted himself with mingled mildness and energy in the administration of the laws." However, the honeymoon lasted only a short while. Soon Wittiza "showed himself in his true nature, cruel and luxurious."

Coming to doubt the security of his throne, he ended the careers of two relatives regarded as rivals: Favila, duke of Cantabria, and Theodofred, duke of Córdoba, who lived in retirement at court. Wittiza had Favila killed and Theodofred blinded then imprisoned in the Córdoba dungeon. The son of Favila, who we are told was Pelayo, happened to be elsewhere at the time and was thus spared for the major role he would later play in history. The son of Theodofred was Roderic, duke of Baetica, who escaped to Italy.

At last feeling safe, the king "gave reins to his licentious passions, and soon, by his tyranny and sensuality, acquired the appellation of Witiza the Wicked." Specifically, using secret orders he demolished castles that he feared could be used by future internal enemies, oblivious to the possibility that he was weakening the kingdom's defenses against foreign invaders. And at court, inspired by the custom of Muslim rulers, he "indulged in a plurality of wives and concubines, encouraging his subjects to do the same."

In later times such stories were told of Wittiza because, in opposition to the policies of the Church hierarchy, he had been lenient toward the Jews and had encouraged the clergy to marry. Therefore, when the kingdom met sudden ruin in the first year of his successor Roderic (a favorite of the Church), this was readily explained by alleging that the sins of Wittiza "had drawn down the wrath of Heaven upon the unhappy nation."

As the story goes, it was in an attempt to save Hispania from such divine punishment that the exiled Roderic returned from Italy with an army. Wittiza was soon defeated in the field and taken captive. Roderic was then crowned king at Toledo, after which he avenged his father by having Wittiza blinded and imprisoned at Córdoba. There the former king "passed the brief remnant of his days in perpetual darkness, a prey to wretchedness and remorse." Meanwhile, Wittiza's two sons, Evan and Siseburto, were banished or escaped to Tangier in Africa.