Pedro Fernández de Castro
Encyclopedia
Pedro Fernández de Castro (c.1290 – Algeciras
, 1342), nicknamed o da Guerra ('of the War'), was a powerful Galician
noble and military figure of the House of Castro
, descended by illegitimate lines from the kings of Castile-Leon-Galicia. Pedro Fernandez de Castro was Lord (Señor) of Lemos
and Sarria
and served as mordomo mayor (lord steward) of Alfonso XI of Castile
, adelantado
de la frontera (governor) of Andalusia
, Galicia
and Murcia
and pertiguero mayor of the lands of Santiago.
He was the father of Fernando Ruiz de Castro
(de toda a lealdad de España), the Castilian queen Juana de Castro (wife of Peter of Castile), the controversial Inês de Castro
(consort King Peter I of Portugal
) and D. Álvaro Pires de Castro
.
, King of Castile and Leon. He was the paternal grandson of Esteban Fernández de Castro, Lord of Lemos and Sarria, and his wife, Aldonza Rodríguez de León, granddaughter of Alfonso IX of Leon
. On his mother's side, he was a grandson of Sancho IV of Castile
, King of Castile and León, and his mistress María Alfonso Téllez de Meneses.
. On the death of his father, Pedro was sent by his mother to the Kingdom of Portugal
, where he was raised and educated along with Infante D. Pedro
, Count of Barcelos
, an illegitimate son of King Denis of Portugal
. Around the year 1319, Pedro Fernandez de Castro returned to Galicia
and Alfonso XI of Castile
gave him his ancestral manor of Lemos
and Sarria
and appointed him Lord Steward of the realm.
In 1334, Alfonso IV of Portugal invaded the kingdom of Castile and León, entering through the lands of Galicia
. However, Pedro Fernandez de Castro refused to fight against him, due to the favors he received in the past at the court of Portugal. Alfonso XI gave him the County of Trastámara, which the sovereign had intended to give his son Henry. Due to his military skills, Alfonso XI sent Pedro Fernandez to fight Muslims in Andalusia
, where he fought at the Battle of Salado in 1340, where tradition refers to Pedro Fernandez de Castro grabbed his spurs of gold from the Marinid
sultan of Morocco, Abu Al-Hasan Ali ibn Othman.
He participated in the siege of Algeciras in 1342, which he led his retinue in the company of Martin Fernandez, Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela.
Pedro Fernandez de Castro died in 1342, being a victim of an epidemic during the siege of Algeciras.
and Violante Manuel of Castile, granddaughter of King Ferdinand III of Castile and León
. There were no children from this marriage.
His second wife was, Isabel Ponce de Leon, daughter of Pedro Ponce de Leon, Lord of Cangas
and Tineo
, and his wife, Sancha Gil de Braganza. Their children were:
From his mistress, Aldonza Lorenzo de Valladares was born:
From his mistress Mayor Leguizamon:
and buried in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
. His remains were buried in the choir of the Cathedral. During 19th century his tomb was examined and found next to his remains were some pieces of silk, a brooch and gold spurs, which are supposedly those of Sultan of Morocco Abu Al-Hasan Ali ibn Othman, of which Pedro Fernandez de Castro had seized during the Battle of Salado.
Algeciras
Algeciras is a port city in the south of Spain, and is the largest city on the Bay of Gibraltar . Port of Algeciras is one of the largest ports in Europe and in the world in three categories: container,...
, 1342), nicknamed o da Guerra ('of the War'), was a powerful Galician
Kingdom of Galicia
The Kingdom of Galicia was a political entity located in southwestern Europe, which at its territorial zenith occupied the entire northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Founded by Suebic king Hermeric in the year 409, the Galician capital was established in Braga, being the first kingdom which...
noble and military figure of the House of Castro
House of Castro
The House of Castro, is believed to have had its origins in Castile, the name deriving from the town of Castrogeriz , and had deep branches in Galicia.-Origins and Brief History:...
, descended by illegitimate lines from the kings of Castile-Leon-Galicia. Pedro Fernandez de Castro was Lord (Señor) of Lemos
Monforte de Lemos
Monforte de Lemos is a city and municipality in northwestern Spain, in the province of Lugo, Galicia. It covers an area of 200 km² and lies 62 km from Lugo. As of 2005 it had a population of 19,472. It is located in a valley between the shores of Sil River and Miño River, in the area...
and Sarria
Sarria
Sarria is a municipality in the province of Lugo, northwestern Spain, in the autonomous community of Galicia. Sarria is the most densely populate town on the French Way in Galicia, with 13 700 inhabitants...
and served as mordomo mayor (lord steward) of Alfonso XI of Castile
Alfonso XI of Castile
Alfonso XI was the king of Castile, León and Galicia.He was the son of Ferdinand IV of Castile and his wife Constance of Portugal. Upon his father's death in 1312, several disputes ensued over who would hold regency, which were resolved in 1313...
, adelantado
Adelantado
Adelantado was a military title held by some Spanish conquistadores of the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries.Adelantados were granted directly by the Monarch the right to become governors and justices of a specific region, which they charged with conquering, in exchange for funding and organizing the...
de la frontera (governor) of Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
, Galicia
Kingdom of Galicia
The Kingdom of Galicia was a political entity located in southwestern Europe, which at its territorial zenith occupied the entire northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Founded by Suebic king Hermeric in the year 409, the Galician capital was established in Braga, being the first kingdom which...
and Murcia
Murcia
-History:It is widely believed that Murcia's name is derived from the Latin words of Myrtea or Murtea, meaning land of Myrtle , although it may also be a derivation of the word Murtia, which would mean Murtius Village...
and pertiguero mayor of the lands of Santiago.
He was the father of Fernando Ruiz de Castro
Fernando Ruiz de Castro
Fernando Ruiz de Castro , nicknamed toda a lealdade de España , was a Galician nobleman of the House of Castro and prominent military figure. He was the third Count of Lemos, Trastámara and Sarria....
(de toda a lealdad de España), the Castilian queen Juana de Castro (wife of Peter of Castile), the controversial Inês de Castro
Inês de Castro
Inês Peres de Castro was a Galician noblewoman born of a Portuguese mother...
(consort King Peter I of Portugal
Peter I of Portugal
Peter I , called the Just , was the eighth King of Portugal and the Algarve from 1357 until his death. He was the third but only surviving son of Afonso IV of Portugal and his wife, princess Beatrice of Castile....
) and D. Álvaro Pires de Castro
Álvaro Pires de Castro
Álvaro Pires de Castro , was a powerful Galician-Portuguese nobleman, stem of the Portuguese branch of the House of Castro...
.
Family Origins
Pedro Fernandez de Castro (da Guerra) was the son of Fernando Rodríguez de Castro and Violante Sánchez of Castile, an illegitimate daughter of Sancho IVSancho IV of Castile
Sancho IV the Brave was the King of Castile, León and Galicia from 1284 to his death. He was the second son of Alfonso X and Yolanda, daughter of James I of Aragon.-Biography:...
, King of Castile and Leon. He was the paternal grandson of Esteban Fernández de Castro, Lord of Lemos and Sarria, and his wife, Aldonza Rodríguez de León, granddaughter of Alfonso IX of Leon
Alfonso IX of Leon
Alfonso IX was king of León and Galicia from the death of his father Ferdinand II in 1188 until his own death...
. On his mother's side, he was a grandson of Sancho IV of Castile
Sancho IV of Castile
Sancho IV the Brave was the King of Castile, León and Galicia from 1284 to his death. He was the second son of Alfonso X and Yolanda, daughter of James I of Aragon.-Biography:...
, King of Castile and León, and his mistress María Alfonso Téllez de Meneses.
Biography
His father, ernando Rodríguez de Castro (died 1304)|Fernando Rodríguez de Castro], was killed in battle in 1304, while fighting against Infante Philip of Castile, son of Sancho IV of CastileSancho IV of Castile
Sancho IV the Brave was the King of Castile, León and Galicia from 1284 to his death. He was the second son of Alfonso X and Yolanda, daughter of James I of Aragon.-Biography:...
. On the death of his father, Pedro was sent by his mother to the Kingdom of Portugal
Kingdom of Portugal
The Kingdom of Portugal was Portugal's general designation under the monarchy. The kingdom was located in the west of the Iberian Peninsula, Europe and existed from 1139 to 1910...
, where he was raised and educated along with Infante D. Pedro
Pedro Afonso, Count of Barcelos
Pedro Afonso , was a son of King Denis of Portugal and Grácia Frois. He was made the 3rd Count of Barcelos on May 1, 1314.He was granted properties in Lisboa, Estremoz, Évora and other regions of Portugal by his father....
, Count of Barcelos
Count of Barcelos
Count of Barcelos is a title of nobility, the first to be granted in Portugal. It was created in 1298 by king Denis I and initially it was a non hereditary title, although most of the holders belonged to the Teles de Menezes family...
, an illegitimate son of King Denis of Portugal
Denis of Portugal
Dinis , called the Farmer King , was the sixth King of Portugal and the Algarve. The eldest son of Afonso III of Portugal by his second wife, Beatrice of Castile and grandson of king Alfonso X of Castile , Dinis succeeded his father in 1279.-Biography:As heir to the throne, Infante Dinis was...
. Around the year 1319, Pedro Fernandez de Castro returned to Galicia
Kingdom of Galicia
The Kingdom of Galicia was a political entity located in southwestern Europe, which at its territorial zenith occupied the entire northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Founded by Suebic king Hermeric in the year 409, the Galician capital was established in Braga, being the first kingdom which...
and Alfonso XI of Castile
Alfonso XI of Castile
Alfonso XI was the king of Castile, León and Galicia.He was the son of Ferdinand IV of Castile and his wife Constance of Portugal. Upon his father's death in 1312, several disputes ensued over who would hold regency, which were resolved in 1313...
gave him his ancestral manor of Lemos
Monforte de Lemos
Monforte de Lemos is a city and municipality in northwestern Spain, in the province of Lugo, Galicia. It covers an area of 200 km² and lies 62 km from Lugo. As of 2005 it had a population of 19,472. It is located in a valley between the shores of Sil River and Miño River, in the area...
and Sarria
Sarria
Sarria is a municipality in the province of Lugo, northwestern Spain, in the autonomous community of Galicia. Sarria is the most densely populate town on the French Way in Galicia, with 13 700 inhabitants...
and appointed him Lord Steward of the realm.
In 1334, Alfonso IV of Portugal invaded the kingdom of Castile and León, entering through the lands of Galicia
Kingdom of Galicia
The Kingdom of Galicia was a political entity located in southwestern Europe, which at its territorial zenith occupied the entire northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Founded by Suebic king Hermeric in the year 409, the Galician capital was established in Braga, being the first kingdom which...
. However, Pedro Fernandez de Castro refused to fight against him, due to the favors he received in the past at the court of Portugal. Alfonso XI gave him the County of Trastámara, which the sovereign had intended to give his son Henry. Due to his military skills, Alfonso XI sent Pedro Fernandez to fight Muslims in Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
, where he fought at the Battle of Salado in 1340, where tradition refers to Pedro Fernandez de Castro grabbed his spurs of gold from the Marinid
Marinid
The Marinid dynasty or Benemerine dynasty was a Zenata Berber dynasty of Morocco. The Marinid dynasty overtook the Almohads in controlling Morocco in 1244. They controlled most of the Maghreb from the mid-14th century to the 15th century and supported the Kingdom of Granada in Al-Andalus in the...
sultan of Morocco, Abu Al-Hasan Ali ibn Othman.
He participated in the siege of Algeciras in 1342, which he led his retinue in the company of Martin Fernandez, Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela.
Pedro Fernandez de Castro died in 1342, being a victim of an epidemic during the siege of Algeciras.
Marriage and offspring
His first wife was, Infanta Beatrice of Portugal, youngest daughter of Infante Afonso, Lord of PortalegreInfante Afonso, Lord of Portalegre
Infante Afonso of Portugal was a Portuguese infante , son of King Afonso III of Portugal and his second wife Beatrice of Castile...
and Violante Manuel of Castile, granddaughter of King Ferdinand III of Castile and León
Ferdinand III of Castile
Saint Ferdinand III, T.O.S.F., was the King of Castile from 1217 and León from 1230. He was the son of Alfonso IX of León and Berenguela of Castile. Through his second marriage he was also Count of Aumale. He finished the work done by his maternal grandfather Alfonso VIII and consolidated the...
. There were no children from this marriage.
His second wife was, Isabel Ponce de Leon, daughter of Pedro Ponce de Leon, Lord of Cangas
Cangas
Cangas do Morrazo is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra.-External links:**...
and Tineo
Tineo
- Politics :-Parroquias :-Tourism:The Sacred Art Museum of Tineo is located at the Plaza Alonso Martinez inside the Convento de San Francisco del Monte , a 14th century Roman Catholic church accessible via the AS-217 road.-External links:***...
, and his wife, Sancha Gil de Braganza. Their children were:
- Fernando Ruiz de CastroFernando Ruiz de CastroFernando Ruiz de Castro , nicknamed toda a lealdade de España , was a Galician nobleman of the House of Castro and prominent military figure. He was the third Count of Lemos, Trastámara and Sarria....
toda a lealdade de España ("all the loyalty of Spain")(1338? - 1377), Count of Lemos, Sarria and Trastamara, standard-bearer and steward of King Peter of Castile. - Juana de Castro (†1374), wife of King Peter of Castile (married 1354). She is buried in the Cathedral of Santiago de CompostelaCathedral of Santiago de CompostelaSantiago de Compostela Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral of the archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. The cathedral is the reputed burial-place of Saint James the Greater, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. It is the destination of the Way of St...
. - Juana de Castro II. She married Diego Lopez de Haro, Lord of OrduñaOrduñaOrduña is a town and municipality of 4,057 inhabitants located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, in the North of Spain....
and Valmaseda, son of Fernando Díaz de Haro and Maria of PortugalMaria of PortugalInfanta Maria of Portugal was a Portuguese infanta , and a queen consort of Castile. She was the first daughter of King Afonso IV of Portugal and his first wife Beatrice of Castile. Her maternal grandparents were Sancho IV of Castile and María de Molina.- Biography :She was born on 9 February 1313...
. - Urraca Perez de Castro. She married Enrique Enriquez "the Younger", son of Enrique Enríquez of Castile.
From his mistress, Aldonza Lorenzo de Valladares was born:
- Ines de CastroInês de CastroInês Peres de Castro was a Galician noblewoman born of a Portuguese mother...
, mistress and posthumous wife of Peter I of PortugalPeter I of PortugalPeter I , called the Just , was the eighth King of Portugal and the Algarve from 1357 until his death. He was the third but only surviving son of Afonso IV of Portugal and his wife, princess Beatrice of Castile....
. She is buried beside her husband at the Monastery of AlcobaçaMonastery of AlcobaçaThe Alcobaça Monastery is a Mediaeval Roman Catholic Monastery located in the town of Alcobaça, in central Portugal. It was founded by the first Portuguese King, Afonso Henriques, in 1153, and maintained a close association with the Kings of Portugal throughout its history.The church and monastery...
From his mistress Mayor Leguizamon:
- Álvaro Pires de CastroÁlvaro Pires de CastroÁlvaro Pires de Castro , was a powerful Galician-Portuguese nobleman, stem of the Portuguese branch of the House of Castro...
. Count of ArraiolosArraiolosArraiolos is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 683.0 km² and a total population of 7,389 inhabitants. The small town of Arraiolos has 3,351 inhabitants.The municipality is located in Évora District....
. Lord of CadavalCadavalCadaval is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 174.9 km² and a total population of 14,385 inhabitants.The municipality is composed of 10 parishes, and is located in Lisbon District....
and FerreiraFerreiraFerreira is a Portuguese and Galician languages surname of toponymical origin, meaning Iron smith. It can also be spelled as Fereira, Ferera and Ferarya, if Sephardic Jewish in origin.It may refer to:-General:...
and Constable of PortugalConstable of PortugalConstable of Portugal or Constable of the Kingdom was a title created by the King of Portugal Ferdinand I in 1382, to substitute the title Alferes Mór do Reino. The constable was the second most powerful person in the kingdom, after the King of Portugal...
. He married Maria Ponce de Leon.
Burial of Pedro Fernandez de Castro
At his death, the body of Pedro Fernandez de Castro was taken to GaliciaKingdom of Galicia
The Kingdom of Galicia was a political entity located in southwestern Europe, which at its territorial zenith occupied the entire northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Founded by Suebic king Hermeric in the year 409, the Galician capital was established in Braga, being the first kingdom which...
and buried in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral of the archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. The cathedral is the reputed burial-place of Saint James the Greater, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. It is the destination of the Way of St...
. His remains were buried in the choir of the Cathedral. During 19th century his tomb was examined and found next to his remains were some pieces of silk, a brooch and gold spurs, which are supposedly those of Sultan of Morocco Abu Al-Hasan Ali ibn Othman, of which Pedro Fernandez de Castro had seized during the Battle of Salado.