Connected Bloodlines

Fernando González, Conde de Castilla

Male Abt 910 - 970  (~ 60 years)


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  • Name Fernando González  
    Suffix Conde de Castilla 
    Born Abt 910 
    Gender Male 
    Died Jun 970 
    Notes 
    • “FERNANDO González de Castilla, son of GONZALO Fernández Conde de Castilla & his wife Muniadomna de Castilla ([910]-Jun 970, bur Monastery of Arlanza). "Momadonna cometessa" donated property to the monastery of Santa María de Lara, confirmed by her sons "Fredinando Gundisalviz, Ramiro Gundisalviz", by charter dated 28 Jan 929. His parentage is confirmed by the charter of his grandson Sancho García Conde de Castilla in which the latter names his paternal ancestors as far back as Munio Núñez & his wife Argila. A legend of his kidnap as a young child is commemorated in the 13th century "Poema de Fernán González". He was installed in 932 as Conde de Castilla. "Momadonna cometessa" donated property in Valzalamio to the monasastery of Cardeñas with her son "Fredinando Gundisalviz", her son's wife "Sancia" and their sons "Gundesalvuz Fernandez, Sanzio Fernandez" by charter dated 5 Aug [935/38]. During his rule, he united the territory of Castile into a single countyty, incorporating in particular Lantarón in 935, Cerezo and Grañón in 936. Following the humiliating peace imposed on the kingdom of Navarre by Abd al-Rahman III Caliph of Córdoba in 934, the Caliph invaded Castile, sacking Burgos and destroying the monastery of San Pedro de Cardeña before moving into the territory of León. However, Conde Fernando allied himself with Ramiro II King of León and Queen Toda regent of Navarre, their combined forces defeating the Caliph's troops at Alhandega/al-Khandaq, near Simancas in 939. "Fredinando Gondissalvez tocius Castelle comes" donated property to the monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla by charter dated 938, confirmed by "Gondissalvo Fredinandez, Sancio Fredinandez…". Conde Fernando exploited this victory by recapturing Sepúlveda in 940. The Cronica de Sampiro records that "Fredenandus Gundissalui et Didacus Munionis" rebelled against King Ramiro II, who captured them and imprisoned them "unum in Legione, alterum in Gordone", dated to [943/44] by Torres, although their imprisonment was short-lived. "Fredinando comes…cum uxore mea…Sancia cometissa" donated property to the monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla by charter dated 944, confirmed by "…Gundissalvo FeFernandez, Sancio Fernandez, Garcia Fernandez…". "Ranimiro rex" donated property to Sahagún by charter dated 3 Apr 945, witnessed by "Fredenandus Gundesalviz…". "Ranimiro rex" donated property to Sahagún by charter dated 3 Apr 945, witnessed bd by "…Fernando Gudisalviz, Gundisalvo Fredenandi…". The Cronica de Sampiro records that "avunculo suo…Garsiano rege Pampilonensium, necnon Fredenandus Gundissalui Burgensium comes" helped Sancho in his rebellion against Ordoño III King of Leónn. Caliph Abd al-Rahman's troops launched further raids against Galicia and Castile between 953 and 955, but were defeated by Conde Fernando near San Esteban de Gormaz in 955. Conde Fernando became embroiled in the civil war in León, supporting in turn King Sancho I and later his son-in-law King Ordoño IV, but was captured by troops from Navarre at Nájera in 960. After being released by Urraca de Navarra, whom he married, he formed an alliance with Navarre and Barcelona against Caliliph Al-Hakam II. The alliance was unsuccessful and Conde Fernando lost San Esteban de Gormaz and Atienza to the Caliph's troops. Although Castile was considerably weakened by Muslim attacks during the last years of his rule, Conde Fernando haad been a dynamic leader who established the full autonomy of the county of Castile, and competently defended it against Muslim incursions. His exploits are commemorated in vernacular Castilian romances. The Chronicon Burgense records the death in 970 of “comes Fernandus Gundisalvi”.
      m firstly ([932]) as her third husband, SANCHA Sánchez de Navarra, widow firstly of ORDOÑO II King of León and secondly of ÁLVARO Herrameliz Conde de Álava, daughter of SANCHO I Garces King of Navarre & his second wife Toda Aznárez de Larraún (after 900-[9 Jun 952/29 Nov 955]). The Codex de Roda names "Garsea rex et domna Onneca et domna Sanzia et domna Urraca…domna Belasquita, necnon et domna Orbita" as the children of "Sanzio Garseanis" and his wife "Tota Asnari", stating that Sancha married "Ordonii imperatoris, postea…Albaro Harramelliz de Alaba, demumque…Fredenando comitis". "Fredenando Gundisalviz et uxor mea Sancia" donated property to the abbey of Silos by charter dated 3 Jun 919 (although this must be misdated), coonfirmed by "Munio Didace, Sarracine Scemonoz, Garcie Bençemaloçe, Frande Arguisso, Garcie Alvarez". "Momadonna cometessa" donated property in Valzalamio to the monastery of Cardeñas with her son "Fredinando Gundisalviz", her son's wife "Sanciaia" and their sons "Gundesalvuz Fernandez, Sanzio Fernandez" by charter dated 5 Aug [935/38]. "Fredinando comes, Sancia comitisa" and their sons "Gundesalvus, Sancius, Munnio" confirmed a charter dated 23 Dec 941 relating to a dispute concerning property of the monastery of Cardeñas. "Fredinando comes…cum uxore mea…Sancia cometissa" donated property to the monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla by charter dated 944, confirmed by "…Gundissalvo Fernandez, Sancio Fernandez, Garcia Fernandez…".
      m secondly (before 29 Nov [955]) as her first husband, URRACA, daughter of --- (-12 Jul 1041). "Comite Fredinando Gondessalvez et cometessa domna Urraca" are named as present in a charter dated 29 Nov [955] which relates a dispute about exemptiions and fines. According to Europäische Stammtafeln, she was Urraca de Navarra, daughter of García III Sánchez King of Navarre & [his second wife Teresa ---], but the primary source which confirms that this is right has not yet been identified. Del Pino assumes that this parentage is correct when he records that Urraca took the initiative to free Fernando González Conde de Castilla, captured by the forces of King García III in 960, married him and escaped to Burgos. She is not named in any of the documents in the compilation relating to the county of Castile. "Willelmus Sancius comes et dominus totius Vasconie, cum Urraca sua muliere" donated the church of Sainte-Susanne to the abbey of Saint-Jean de Sorde by undated charter. According to Europäische Stammtafeln, she married secondly (after 14 Jul 972) Guillaume Sánchez Comte de Gascogne. The primary source which confirms her second marriage has not yet been identified either, although the charter dated 992 under which Sancho King of Navarre donated property to the monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla is signed, among others, by "…Sancio filius Gogelmi comitis…" (apparently Urraca's son by this second marriage)[146], King Sancho being the brother oof Urraca de Navarra. "Willelmus Sancius comes et dominus totius Vasconie, cum Urraca sua muliere" donated the church of Sainte-Susanne to the abbey of Saint-Jean de Sorde by undated charter. "Willelmus Sancius comes et dominus totius Vasconie, cum Urraca sua muliere" donated the church of Sainte-Susanne to the abbey of Saint-Jean de Sorde by undated charter. The Historia Abbatiæ Condomensis quotes a charter dated 29 Jul 1011 under which "Ugo…Præsul, secundum lineam carnis eidem Duci propinquis et affinis" donated property to the convent of Condom, for the souls of "meorumque parentum, item Garsiæ-Sanctii Comitis et filii sui Sanctii-Garsiæ Comitis, et Guillermi-Sanctii Comitis et Gimbaldi Episcopi, et Guillelmi Comitis, et Garsiæ Comitis, et Bernardi-Guillelmi Comitis, et Urachæ Comitissæ". Her date of death is stated in Europäische Stammtafeln. However, there must be some doubt about whether this can be correct. If Urraca, wife of Guillaume Comte de Gascogne, was the same person as the second wife of Fernando González Conde de Castilla, she had two children by her first husband before his death in 970 and therefore must have been born no later than [950], and probably earlier considering that she married before Dec 955. This would mean that she would have been well over 90 years old if she did die in 1041.
      Conde Fernando & his first wife had seven children:
      1. GONZALO Fernández de Castilla (before 1 Aug [935/38]-after 10 Dec 959). "Momadonna cometessa" donated property in Valzalamio to the monastery of Cardeñas with her son "Fredinando Gundisalviz", her son's wife "Sancia" and their sons "Gundesalalvuz Fernandez, Sanzio Fernandez" by charter dated 5 Aug [935/38]. "Fredinando Gondissalvez tocius Castelle comes" donated property to the monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla by charter dated 938, confirmed by "Gondissalvo Fredinandez, Sancio Fredinandez…". "Fredinando comes, Sancia comitisa" and their sons "Gundesalvus, Sancius, Munnio" confirmed a charter dated 23 Dec 941 relating to a dispute concerning property of the monastery of Cardeñas. "Fredinando comes…cum uxore mea…Sancia cometissa" donated property to the monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla by charter dated 944, confirmed by "…Gundissalvo Fernandez, Sancio Fernandez, Garcia Fernandez…". "Ranimiro rex" donated property to Sahagún by charter dated 3 Apr 945, witnessed by "…Fernando Gudisalviz, Gundisalvo Fredenandi…". Conde de Castilla, during the lifetime of his father whom he predeceased. He joined with his wife in her donation to the convent of Santa Dorotea de Cigüenza dated 10 Dec 959. m ((before 29 Jun 959) FRONILDE Gómez, daughter of conde GÓMEZ Díaz & his wife Elduara --- (-3 Nov 1009). She is named with her husband in a donation to Cardeña dated 29 Jun 959. She refers to her late husband and son in a 984 donation to Cardeña for their souls. She became a nun at Cigüenza. Gonzalo & his wife had one child:
      a) SANCHO González (-before 984). He is named in his mother's 984 donation for his soul.
      2. SANCHO Fernández de Castilla (before 1 Aug [935/38]-after Aug 956). "Momadonna cometessa" donated property in Valzalamio to the monastery of Cardeñas with her son "Fredinando Gundisalviz", her son's wife "Sancia" and their sons "Gundesalvuz Fernandez, Sanzio Fernandez" by charter dated 5 Aug [935/38]. "Fredinando Gondissalvez tocius Castelle comes" donated property to the monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla by charter dated 938, confirmed by "Gondissalvo Fredinandez, Sancio FrFredinandez…". "Fredinando comes, Sancia comitisa" and their sons "Gundesalvus, Sancius, Munnio" confirmed a charter dated 23 Dec 941 relating to a dispute concerning property of the monastery of Cardeñas. "Fredinando comes…cum uxore mea…Sanciia cometissa" donated property to the monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla by charter dated 944, confirmed by "…Gundissalvo Fernandez, Sancio Fernandez, Garcia Fernandez…". Conde de Álava. He is named with his sister Queen Urraca in Aug 956 at the court of León.
      3. MUNIO Fernández de Castilla (before 23 Dec 941-after 6 May 968). "Fredinando comes, Sancia comitisa" and their sons "Gundesalvus, Sancius, Munnio" confirmed a charter dated 23 Dec 941 relating to a dispute concerning property of the monastery of Cardeñas[165]. A monk at Cardeña from 945. "Fredinando Gundissalbiz comes" and his son "Munnio Fredinandiz" confirmed a donation of property at Montorio to the monastery of San Adrian y San Miguel Arcangel by charter dated 6 May 968.
      4. GARCÍA Fernández de Castilla (-[Córdoba] 1 Aug or [29/30] Dec 995, bur Tres Santos, Córdoba, later moved to San Pedro de Cerdaña). "Fredinando comes…cum uxore mea…Sancia cometissa" donated property to the monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla by charter dated 944, confirmed by "…Gundissalvo Fernandez, Sancio Fernandez, Garcia Fernandez…". He succeeded his father in 970 as Conde de Castilla.
      5. MUNIADOMNA Fernández de Castilla (-before 1015). A charter of Sahagún monastery records that, alter the death of “comes Fredenandus Gundisalviz, Dux Castellæ…filia sua…domna Momodomna comitissa” married “comite Gomez Didaz”. m (after Jun 970) GÓMEZ Díaz, son of DIEGO Muñoz Conde de Saldaña & his wife Tegridia --- (-after 986). Conde de Saldaña from [959].
      6. URRACA Fernández de Castilla (-after 1007). The Cronica de Sampiro records the marriage of "Ordonius filius regis" and "filiam Fredenandi…Urracam", from the context dated to the reconciliation of King Ramiro II and Conde Fernando after the latter's rebellion, which is dated to [943/44] by Torres. The Cronica de Sampiro records the marriage of "Ordonium…Adefonsy regis filium" and "Ferdinando Burgensium comitte…filiam suam…relictam ab Ordonio Ramiri filio". The Codex de Roda records the marriage of "regem Sanctium" and "Urracam, filiam comitis Sanctii de Castella", although it is chronologically more acceptable that Urraca was the daughter of Conde Fernando, which is confirmed by the charter dated 29 Jun 971 under which "Endregoto Galindonis et prole eius Sancio Garseanis rex et uxor eius Urraca Fredenandizi" donated property to the monastery of San Pedro de Siresa. The Chronicon Burgense also states incorrectly that King Sancho was “gener comitis Sancii”. "Sancius rex et Urraka regina…cum germanis nostris Ranimiro et Eximino" confirmed a prior donation to San Pedro de Siresa by "genitor noster Garsea rex" by charter dated 15 Feb 979, confirmed by "Eximino Sancionis, Garsea Furtunionis, Belasco Lihoriz". "Urraca regina", signing directly after "Sancio rex", witnessed the 24 Nov 978 document recording the consecration of her supposed niece Urraca at the monastery of Covarrubias. "Garsea rex et uxor mea Eximina, cum domna Urracha regina" donated property to the monastery of San Pedro de Siresa by charter dated to [995/1004]. She became a nun after the death of her third husband. m firstly ([944 or after]) ORDOÑO de León, son of RAMIRO II King of León & his first wife Adosinda Guda Gutiérrez ([926]-[30 Aug/13 Nov] 956). He succeeded his father in 951 as ORDOÑO III King of León. m secondly ([958]) ORDOÑO IV "el Malo" King of León, son of ALFONSO IV "el Monje" King of León & his wife Oneca Sánchez de Navarra ([926]-962). m thirdly ([962]) SANCHO Abarca de Navarra, son of GARCÍA III Sánchez King of Navarre & his first wife Andregota Galíndez (after 935-Dec 994). He succeeded his father in 970 as SANCHO II Garcés Abarca King of Navarre.
      7. FRONILDE Fernández de Castilla (-after 1014). "Garcia Fredinandiz, Aua comitisa" donated property to the monastery of Cardeñas by charter dated 11 Jul 972, subscribed by "Sancius prolis illorum, Domna Fronilde…". "Garsea Fredinandiz comess, Aua comitisa" executed a charter dated 24 Nov 978 consecrating "Urraca filia nostra" at the monastery of Covarrubias, confirmed by "Sancio Garsea, Gundisalbo Garsea…Tota comitissa, Fronilde comitissa…". "Garcia Fernandiz comes, Aba cometissaa" donated property to the church of Santa Juliana by charter dated 5 May 987, confirmed by "Domna Fronildi, Domna Otrocia…". "Sancius comes, mea tia domina Fronilde" confirmed property rights by charter dated 1014. m RODANO [Díaz, son of DIEGO Rodaniz & his wife ---]. Conde in Asturias de Santillana.
      Conde Fernando & his second wife had two children:
      8. TODA Fernández de Castilla. The primary source which confirms her parentage has not yet been identified.
      9. PEDRO Fernández de Castilla. The primary source which confirms his parentage has not yet been identified. m ---. The name of Pedro's wife is not known. Pedro & his wife had four children:
      a) FERNANDO Pérez de Castilla. He confirmed the [1017/4 Apr 1027] document of Conde García García to the monastery of San Juliano.
      b) SALVADOR Pérez de Castilla. Conde.
      c) GONZALO Pérez de Castilla.
      d) RODRIGO Pérez de Castilla.”«s87»
    Person ID I14906  Lowell&Block

    Father Gonzalo Fernández, de Lara,   d. Aft 932 
    Mother Muniadomna 
    Family ID F5143  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Urraca,   d. 12 Jul 1041 
    Children 
     1. Toda Fernández, de Castilla
     2. Pedro Fernáandez, de Castilla
    Family ID F5141  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Sancha Sánchez, de Navarra,   d. Between 949 and 963 
    Children 
     1. Gonzalo Fernández, de Castilla
     2. Sancho Fernández, de Castilla
     3. Munio Fernández, de Castilla
     4. García Fernández, Conde de Castilla
     5. Muniadomna Fernández, de Castilla
     6. Urraca Fernández, de Castilla
     7. Fronilde Fernández, de Castilla
    Family ID F5139  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart