Rodrigo Fernández de Castro facts for kids

Rodrigo Fernández de Castro (died after 1144), also known as the Bald (el Calvo), was an important nobleman and soldier from Castile. He was one of the people who helped start the House of Castro, a powerful family in Spain. Rodrigo was the second son of Fernando García de Hita and Tegridia. His family was connected to other important noble families of the time.

Early Life and Military Service

In April 1126, Rodrigo and his older brother, Gutierre, promised their loyalty to the new king, Alfonso VII. Alfonso later became an emperor. Rodrigo served the king as his alférez, which was a high military position, from the summer of 1130 to the spring of 1131. This role meant he was the king's standard-bearer and a military leader.

In 1137, Rodrigo and Gutierre joined the king on a trip to Galicia. There, they helped take back the city of Tuy from the Portuguese. They also visited Santiago de Compostela, a very important religious site. Rodrigo signed royal documents in Tuy and Santiago, showing his presence and importance. Later that year, he rejoined the king's court as they traveled through Castile.

Fighting on the Frontier

Most of Rodrigo's military career involved fighting on the southern border of Castile. This was part of the Reconquista, a long period when Christian kingdoms in Spain tried to take back land from the Almoravids, who were Muslim rulers.

In 1137, Rodrigo became the governor (alcaide) of Toledo. Soon after, he led a raid near Córdoba. He defeated an army led by Tashfin ibn Ali, who would later become a sultan. This battle happened at a place called Almont. The Chronicle of Emperor Alfonso mentioned that Rodrigo's military skills against the Moors were very impressive.

In 1138, Rodrigo joined King Alfonso and Count Rodrigo Martínez on a raid along the Guadalquivir river. They brought back many captives. Rodrigo was also present at the siege of Coria in July, but it was not successful. Sadly, Count Rodrigo Martínez was killed during this siege.

In April 1139, Rodrigo and his brother were ordered to besiege Oreja. They used their own knights and were helped by local soldiers from nearby towns. By July, the king himself took charge of the siege, and it ended successfully in October. Rodrigo was likely with the king during this time. In 1142, he raided a town called Silvia in the Algarve region and brought back many captives.

Later Life and Family

In 1140, Rodrigo and Gutierre were at Carrión de los Condes to witness a treaty between King Alfonso VII and Count Raymond Berengar IV of Barcelona. In 1142, Rodrigo was in charge of the town of Ávila for the crown. He was last mentioned in royal records in 1144. He passed away before 1148, as his wife remarried that year.

Rodrigo's wife was Elo (also spelled Eilo or Eylo) Álvarez, who was the daughter of Álvar Fáñez. They had at least five sons and one daughter. Their oldest son, Fernando, became the leader of the House of Castro after his uncle Gutierre died.

Two of Rodrigo's children married children from the important Guzmán family. His daughter Sancha married Álvaro Rodríguez de Guzmán. His son Pedro married Urraca Rodríguez de Guzmán. Another son, Álvaro, became a high-ranking official for King Ferdinand II of León. A younger son, Gutierre, was known as "the head-wounded" and married Elvira Osorio.

Images for kids

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  The castle of Oreja, which Rodrigo and his brother besieged in 1139

See also

In Spanish: Rodrigo Fernández de Castro el Calvo para niños