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Zayd Abu Zayd

1195 – 1268

Spanish nobility

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About Zayd Abu Zayd

Lived 1195 – 1268 (aged 72–73). Zayd Abu Zayd was a governor.

Zayd Abu Zayd (, 1195 – 1265/1270) was the last Almohad governor of Valencia.

He succeeded as governor of Valencia to his uncle Abū 'Abd Allāh Muhammad. At the death of the Almohad caliph Yaqub al-Mansur, he gained complete autonomy thanks to dynastic struggle that ensued. However, due to its position surrounded by enemies, in 1225 he decided to declare himself a vassal of King James I of Aragon. In 1227 he recognized Idris al-Ma'mun, former governor of Córdoba and Seville, as legitimate Almohad caliph. Two years later, after having been expelled from the Taifa of Valencia (Balensiya) by Zayyan ibn Mardanish, he fled to Aragon, where he obtained by James the right to invade the Muslim territory of Valencia.

Abu Zayd remained a loyal ally of James I, and in 1236 he converted to Christianity, adopting the name of Vicent Bellvis, a fact which he however kept secret until the Conquest of Valencia by Christian forces. He was baptized as a Catholic and married to Isabella Roldán, daughter of Martin Roldán and his wife María López de Luna and became the progenitor of the family with the surname Bellvis. He had a son named Fernando with his wife Isabella Roldán. Under the protection of the Christian king, he held the seigniory over several localities in the Sierra de Espadán, which were inherited by his son Fernando after his death.

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Important facts

Born
1195, Baeza
Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Almohad Caliphate, Crown of Aragon
Also known as
Abu Zayd Abd ar-Rahman, last Almohad ruler of Valencia, Vicent Bellvís

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Zayd Abu Zayd's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Zayd Abu Zayd?

Spanish nobility

When was Zayd Abu Zayd born?

Zayd Abu Zayd was born in 1195 in Baeza.

When did Zayd Abu Zayd die?

Zayd Abu Zayd died on 11 December 1268 in Argelita.

What was Zayd Abu Zayd's occupation?

Zayd Abu Zayd was a governor.

What nationality was Zayd Abu Zayd?

Zayd Abu Zayd's recorded nationality: Almohad Caliphate, Crown of Aragon.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Zayd Abu Zayd

· Wikidata: Q3102581

· DBpedia: Zayd Abu Zayd

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Zayd Abu Zayd. https://biography.guide/zayd-abu-zayd/

MLA: "Zayd Abu Zayd." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/zayd-abu-zayd/.

Chicago: "Zayd Abu Zayd." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/zayd-abu-zayd/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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