Fernando Flaínez facts for kids
Fernando Flaínez was an important and powerful nobleman in the Kingdom of León around the years 1002 to 1049. He belonged to a noble family called the Flaínez. His parents were Flaín Muñoz and Justa Fernández. His mother's father was Count Fernando Bermúdez de Cea.
Fernando Flaínez was the grandfather of Jimena Díaz, who married the famous knight Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar. His family also became the ancestors of another important noble family, the Osorios. He married Elvira Peláez. They had at least seven children: Flaín, Oveco, Justa, Pedro, Pelayo, Muño, and Diego.
Fernando was in charge of the area around Aguilar de Campoo. He was given the title of "count" starting in 1028. Along with his son, Flaín Fernández, he helped govern the city of León until 1038. This was when the kingdom came under the control of King Sancho III of Pamplona.
Life of a Nobleman
Fernando Flaínez first appears in old documents in 999. At that time, he and his brother Munio confirmed a gift from the Bishop of León to the Monastery of Sahagún.
On February 26, 1020, Fernando and his wife, along with some of their children, started the Monastery of San Martín de Pereda. This monastery was in Valle de Valdeburón. Later, it became part of the Monastery of Benevívere. In the document for this, Fernando mentioned that he had inherited some of the donated lands from his grandfather and father.
Serving the King
Fernando was a loyal supporter of King Alfonso V of León. He often confirmed royal documents. He was given the important title of "count" by the end of Alfonso's rule, at least from 1028.
After King Alfonso V died, Bermudo III of León became king. Fernando supported his cousin, King Sancho III of Navarre. However, at first, he did accompany the young King Bermudo III. This is shown in a document from November 1028. In this document, Bermudo III made a gift to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Fernando Flaínez was there, confirming the royal decision.
Fernando was not often at King Bermudo III's court between 1029 and 1035. This might have been because he was involved in the political events surrounding the death of García Sánchez, the Count of Castile, in 1029. Count García was in León to meet Sancha, who was supposed to be his bride. She later married King Ferdinand I of León.
Fernando Flaínez returned to King Bermudo III's court. He remained loyal to Bermudo until the king was killed in the Battle of Tamarón in 1037. Fernando Flaínez did not give the capital city of León to Ferdinand I until 1038. He kept all his lands and titles until he died, sometime after 1049. This was the last year he appeared in the records of the Monastery of Sahagún.
Family Life
Fernando Flaínez married his cousin, Elvira Peláez. Her parents were Count Pelayo Rodríguez and Countess Gotina Fernández. Gotina was also a daughter of Fernando Bermúdez de Cea. This made her a sister of Queen Jimena and of Justa Fernández, Fernando's mother.
Fernando and Elvira had the following children. All of them, except Justa, were born before February 1020. This is when they confirmed the gift made by their parents:
- Flaín Fernández (died before 1065): He was a count. He married Toda Fernández. They were the parents of Martín Flaínez, who were ancestors of the Osorio family.
- Oveco Fernández: He married Onecca Gutiérrez.
- Pedro Fernández
- Pelayo Fernández (died after June 1049): He was a royal standard-bearer (alférez) in 1039 and 1050. He became a count in 1043. He might have been the father of Flaín Peláez.
- Munio Fernández (died after June 1049): He was also a count. He married Elvira Peláez. She was the daughter of Count Pelayo Froilaz the Deacon and Aldonza Ordóñez. Aldonza was the daughter of the infantes Ordoño Ramírez and his wife Cristina Bermúdez. Munio and Elvira were the parents of Countess Aldonza Muñoz, who married Count Vela Ovéquiz. Munio last appeared in records in June 1049 with his brother Pelayo.
- Diego Fernández: He was the father of Jimena Díaz, who married El Cid.
- Justa Fernández: She was named after her grandmother. Justa was the second wife of Count Ansur Díaz. She was the step-mother of the powerful count Pedro Ansúrez. On September 29, 1047, Justa and her husband founded the Monastery of San Román.
