The Historia Compostelana (fully titled in Latin: De rebus gestis D. Didaci Gelmirez, primi Compostellani Archiepiscopi[1]) is a historical chronicle by several authors based on the relation of events by a writer in the immediate circle of Diego Gelmírez,[2] second bishop (1100–1120) then first archbishop (1120–1140) of Compostela, one of the major figures of the Middle Ages in Galicia.
Its twofold central agenda is to extol the Archbishop's doings, while establishing the foundation and rights of Santiago de Compostela, including its founding legend, which provided apostolic connections with Saint James the Great.
"A very complex work of multiple authorship, it must be used with care, for it is essentially an episcopal gesta of Diego Gelmírez, bishop and then archbishop of Santiago de Compostela, and very partisan in its commentary," is the assessment of the major historian of this period, Bernard F.
[4] In the context of Hispanic historiography in Latin, it is unique for narrating contemporary events and utilizing documents inserted in the text, giving it great historical value.
The tomb was lost until the bishop Theodemir in the ninth century, when God sought to "change the fortune of the Church" by revealing its location.
The second chapter of Book I describes its discovery and the confirmation of the relics by Alfonso II, before beginning an ecclesiastical history of Compostela from the early ninth century until the episcopacy of Diego Peláez.
In 985 Bishop Pelayo Rodríguez was apparently removed by Bermudo II and replaced by Pedro de Mozonzo; in retribution, his father is said to have encouraged Almanzor to sack Compostela.
However, Manuel Suárez notes that Pelayo may have simply retired to Celanovas, and it is highly unlikely that the sack of Compostela happened at the behest of a minor nobleman.
Though Vimáraz arranged the marriage of Urraca to Raymond of Burgundy and the latter's appointment as Count of Galicia, both seen as positive developments, the history laments the disarray within the canonry which occurred during his brief rule.
He was elected as the second bishop of Compostela in July of that year, though he was not consecrated until Easter 1101 due to safety concerns amidst conflict with Aragón.