Pedro Fernández de Castro facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pedro Fernández de Castro |
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| Spouse(s) | Infanta Beatrice of Portugal Isabel Ponce de Leon |
| Noble family | Castro |
| Father | Fernando Rodríguez de Castro |
| Mother | Violante Sánchez of Castile |
| Born | c. 1290 |
| Died | 1342 Algeciras |
| Burial | Choir of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela |
Pedro Fernández de Castro (born around 1290, died 1342 in Algeciras) was a very important noble from Galicia. He was known as el de la Guerra, which means 'of the War', because he was a strong military leader. Pedro belonged to the House of Castro, a powerful family with connections to the kings of Castile, Leon, and Galicia.
Pedro Fernández de Castro was the Lord of Lemos and Sarria. He held many important jobs for King Alfonso XI of Castile. He was the King's mayordomo mayor (chief steward), which meant he managed the royal household. He was also an adelantado de la frontera (governor) for areas like Andalusia, Galicia, and Murcia. Plus, he was the pertiguero mayor (a special official) for the lands around Santiago.
He was the father of several notable children: Fernando Ruiz de Castro, Queen Juana de Castro (who married King Peter of Castile), the famous Inês de Castro (who became the wife of King Peter I of Portugal), and Álvaro Pires de Castro.
Family Background
Pedro Fernández de Castro was the son of Fernando Rodríguez de Castro and Violante Sánchez of Castile. His mother, Violante, was an illegitimate daughter of King Sancho IV of Castile.
On his father's side, his grandparents were Esteban Fernández de Castro, Lord of Lemos and Sarria, and Aldonza Rodríguez de León. Aldonza was a granddaughter of King Alfonso IX of Leon. On his mother's side, his grandparents were King Sancho IV of Castile and his mistress, María Alfonso Téllez de Meneses.
Life and Achievements
Pedro's father, Fernando Rodríguez de Castro, died in battle in 1304. He was fighting against Prince Philip of Castile. After his father's death, Pedro's mother sent him to Kingdom of Portugal. There, he grew up and was educated alongside Prince D. Pedro, the Count of Barcelos, who was an illegitimate son of King Denis of Portugal.
Around 1319, Pedro Fernández de Castro returned to Galicia. King Alfonso XI of Castile gave him back his family lands of Lemos and Sarria. The King also made him the chief steward of the kingdom.
In 1330, Pedro joined King Alfonso XI in a military campaign against Granada. He led the Christian attack during the Battle of Teba.
In 1334, King Afonso IV of Portugal invaded the kingdom of Castile and León through Galicia. However, Pedro Fernández de Castro refused to fight against King Afonso. This was because Pedro remembered the kindness he had received at the Portuguese court when he was young. King Alfonso XI then gave Pedro the County of Trastámara. This was a territory the King had planned to give to his own son, Henry.
Because of his great military skills, King Alfonso XI sent Pedro Fernández to fight against the Muslims in Andalusia. He fought bravely at the Battle of Salado in 1340. It is said that during this battle, Pedro Fernández de Castro took the golden spurs from the Marinid Sultan of Morocco, Abu Al-Hasan Ali ibn Othman.
Pedro also took part in the siege of Algeciras in 1342. He led his own group of soldiers, fighting alongside Martín Fernández de Gres, the Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela.
Pedro Fernández de Castro died in 1342 during the siege of Algeciras. He was a victim of an epidemic that spread during the siege.
Marriages and Children
Pedro Fernández de Castro was married twice and also had children with a mistress.
His first wife was Beatrice of Portugal, Lady of Lemos. She was the youngest daughter of Afonso of Portugal and Violante Manuel. Violante was a granddaughter of King Ferdinand III of Castile and León. Pedro and Beatrice did not have any children together.
His second wife was Isabel Ponce de Leon. She was the daughter of Pedro Ponce de Leon, Lord of Cangas and Tineo. Her mother was Sancha Gil de Braganza. Pedro and Isabel had two children:
- Fernando Ruiz de Castro (born around 1338, died 1377): He was known as toda la lealtad de España ("all the loyalty of Spain"). He became the Count of Lemos, Sarria, and Trastamara. He was a loyal supporter of King Peter of Castile.
- Juana de Castro (died 1374): She first married Diego López de Haro. After his death, she married King Peter of Castile in 1354. She is buried in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
Pedro also had children with his mistress, Aldonza Lorenzo de Valladares:
- Ines de Castro: She became the mistress and later, after her death, the wife of King Peter I of Portugal. She is buried next to him at the Monastery of Alcobaça.
- Álvaro Pires de Castro: He became the Count of Arraiolos and Lord of Cadaval and Ferreira. He was also a Constable of Portugal. He married Maria Ponce de Leon.
Burial Place
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After Pedro Fernández de Castro died, his body was taken back to Galicia. He was buried in the choir of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
In the 19th century, his tomb was opened and examined. Inside, along with his remains, researchers found pieces of silk, a brooch, and gold spurs. These spurs are believed to be the ones Pedro took from the Sultan of Morocco, Abu Al-Hasan Ali ibn Othman, during the Battle of Salado.
See also
In Spanish: Pedro Fernández de Castro para niños
