Fernando Díaz facts for kids

Fernando Díaz lived around 1071 to 1106. He was an important Spanish noble and military leader in the Kingdom of León. He was one of the most powerful nobles in the region of Asturias.

Fernando held the highest noble rank in the kingdom, which was count. He became a count by at least 1089. He was the last Count of Asturias de Oviedo. After him, a different type of official, called a castellan, took over the area.

Fernando Díaz's Family and Marriages

Fernando Díaz came from a powerful family. His father was Diego Fernández de Oviedo, and his mother was Cristina Fernández. Both his father and his older brother, Rodrigo, were also Counts of Asturias before him.

Fernando had a younger sister named Jimena Díaz. She was married to the famous Spanish hero, Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, also known as El Cid.

Santa Cruz de Castañeda, a church that was later given to the Abbey of Cluny by Fernando's children.

Fernando was married twice. His first wife was Goto González. She passed away by July 1087. As part of her will, Fernando gave some land she inherited to the San Salvador de Oña monastery.

By July 1096, Fernando married his second wife, Enderquina Muñoz. She was the daughter of Count Munio González. As a special gift from her husband, called arras, she received the monastery of Santa María in Oviedo in 1097.

Fernando and Enderquina had several children: Diego, Munio, Sancha, Jimena, Aldonza, and María. In 1120, their children donated the monastery of Colegiata de Santa Cruz de Castañeda to the Abbey of Cluny. They did this "for the souls" of their grandparents, Munio and Mayor.

Early Career and Role as Count

Fernando Díaz is first mentioned in a document from October 1071. While there's an early mention of him as a count in 1080, the first clear record of him holding the title of count is from 1089.

From 1086, Fernando was in charge of the area of Asturias de Oviedo. This role was called a tenencia. He held this position until at least 1104. In 1098, Fernando and Enderquina gave two monasteries to a priest named Juan Peláez.

A Journey to the Holy Land

According to old records from the Sahagún monastery, Fernando visited the Holy Land and Jerusalem in the year 1100. This trip might have been a pilgrimage after the success of the First Crusade. It's also possible that Fernando was one of the few Spaniards who actually took part in the Crusade.

In 1101, King Alfonso VI of León and Castile received a special cross. It was made from wood believed to be from the True Cross and was a gift from the Byzantine emperor Alexius I Comnenus. It is thought that Fernando might have brought this gift back from Constantinople after his journey.

Later Life and Disputes

Around 1104, Fernando and Enderquina had some legal disagreements with the bishop of Oviedo, Pelagius of Oviedo. These arguments were about the bishop's control over certain lands in Asturias.

Fernando Díaz is not mentioned in any documents after March 1106. Historians believe he might have died at the Battle of Uclés in May 1108.

See also

In Spanish: Fernando Díaz (conde) para niños