Fernando Ponce de Cabrera el Menor
Encyclopedia
Fernando Ponce de Cabrera (fl.
1163–1200), called el Menor ("the younger"), was an important nobleman of the Kingdom of León
.
Fernando was a younger son of Ponce de Cabrera, a Catalan
baron who had emigrated to León, and María Fernández, daughter of Fernando Pérez de Traba and Sancha González. Between 1161 and 1163 a Fernando Ponce was the alférez
(or signifer, standard-bearer
) of Ferdinand II
, but this was probably his elder brother of the same name, Fernando Ponce el Mayor
. In 1163 Fernando Ponce made a donation to the Cathedral of Zamora
and in 1164 to the Benedictine
monstery of San Martín de Castañeda, though his later religious patronage would focus on the Cistercians. He made donations to their monasteries at Meira
(1198) and Moreruela (1196), the latter founded by his father. On 4 August 1171 the two Fernando Ponces sold their land in Valdesalce to a certain Fernán Baldrín.
The first tenencias Fernando Ponce held were Melgar
(1172–90), which he continued to hold throughout most of his career, and Allariz
(1174), which he held but briefly. He was also briefly installed in the Limia
in 1173, and he was re-installed as governor there on four later occasions: 1178–79, 1182–84, 1187, and 1195–96. In 1177 he was briefly sine terra ("without land"), but was installed in Lemos, which he held until 1180, and where he governed subsequently in 1187 and 1192. By April 1178 he had attained the rank of count
(Latin: comes), the highest in the kingdom, and was charged with the tenencias of the Cabrera
(1178–81) and Toroño (1178).
Sometime before January 1183 Fernando married Estefanía López, daughter of Lope Díaz I de Haro
and Aldonza Rodríguez. She gave him two sons, Fernando and Pedro. By 29 October 1200 the couple had separated, but she was still alive as late as July 1215. In 1183 Fernando made donations to the Order of Calatrava
and to the regular clergy
of the Sar
. In 1188 he was appointed majordomo by Ferdinand II, and he continued in that post under Alfonso IX as late as September 1189. This period, the final years of the reign of Ferdinand II and the early years of that of his son, corresponds to Fernando Ponce's maximum power and influence, when he held the large and important tenencias of Extremadura
(1188–92), Salamanca
(1189–90), Tierra de Campos (1186–93), Valladolid
(1190), and Zamora
(1176, 1188–92). He also held Sanabria
(1182–89), Mayorga (1186–87), Benavente
(1186–89), and the Transierra (1188). Sanabria and Zamora had once been held by his father and passed on to his elder brother. Late in his career he briefly possessed Robledo
(1198) and Valdemora
(1198). In 1200 Fernando Ponce made a second donation to the Cathedral of Zamora, where his father was buried, his first in thirty-seven years. When he died not long thereafter he was buried in the abbey of Moreruela.
Floruit
Floruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
1163–1200), called el Menor ("the younger"), was an important nobleman of the Kingdom of León
Kingdom of León
The Kingdom of León was an independent kingdom situated in the northwest region of the Iberian Peninsula. It was founded in AD 910 when the Christian princes of Asturias along the northern coast of the peninsula shifted their capital from Oviedo to the city of León...
.
Fernando was a younger son of Ponce de Cabrera, a Catalan
Catalan people
The Catalans or Catalonians are the people from, or with origins in, Catalonia that form a historical nationality in Spain. The inhabitants of the adjacent portion of southern France are sometimes included in this definition...
baron who had emigrated to León, and María Fernández, daughter of Fernando Pérez de Traba and Sancha González. Between 1161 and 1163 a Fernando Ponce was the alférez
Alférez
Alférez is a junior officer rank also used in Spain, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. The variant Alferes is used in Portugal and was formerly also used in Brazil. A naval variant, Frigate Alférez, is used in Spain, Dominican Republic and Peru. "Alférez" is often translated as ensign...
(or signifer, standard-bearer
Standard-bearer
A standard-bearer is a person who bears an emblem called an ensign or standard, i.e. either a type of flag or an inflexible but mobile image, which is used as a formal, visual symbol of a state, prince, military unit, etc.This can either be an occasional duty, often seen as an honour , or a...
) of Ferdinand II
Ferdinand II of Leon
Ferdinand II was King of León and Galicia from 1157 to his death.-Life:Born in Toledo, Castile, he was the son of King Alfonso VII of León and Castile and of Berenguela, of the House of Barcelona. At his father's death, he received León and Galicia, while his brother Sancho received Castile and...
, but this was probably his elder brother of the same name, Fernando Ponce el Mayor
Fernando Ponce de Cabrera el Mayor
Fernando Ponce de Cabrera , called el Mayor , was an important nobleman of the Kingdom of León, the second son of three of Ponce de Cabrera, a Catalan baron who had emigrated to León, and his first wife, Sancha , who was deceased by 1142. He married Guiomar Rodríguez, daughter of Rodrigo Pérez de...
. In 1163 Fernando Ponce made a donation to the Cathedral of Zamora
Cathedral of Zamora, Spain
The Cathedral of Zamora is a church in Zamora, central Spain, located above the right bank of the Duero in the southern and rather higher part of the old town, and is still surrounded by its old walls and gates....
and in 1164 to the Benedictine
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
monstery of San Martín de Castañeda, though his later religious patronage would focus on the Cistercians. He made donations to their monasteries at Meira
Meira
Meira, is a municipality in the Spanish province of Lugo and a parish of the municipality of Moaña....
(1198) and Moreruela (1196), the latter founded by his father. On 4 August 1171 the two Fernando Ponces sold their land in Valdesalce to a certain Fernán Baldrín.
The first tenencias Fernando Ponce held were Melgar
Melgar
Foot Ball Club Melgar, known simply as FBC Melgar or Melgar, is a Peruvian soccer club based in Arequipa, Peru. It is one of Peru's oldest soccer teams, founded on March 25, 1915 by a group of soccer enthusiasts from Arequipa....
(1172–90), which he continued to hold throughout most of his career, and Allariz
Allariz
The town of Allariz is in the province of Ourense, Autonomous Community of Galicia, Spain. It occupies the center of the western half of the province, connecting with the towns of Taboadela, Paderne, Sandiás, Vilar de Santos, Rairiz de Veiga, Xunqueira de Ambía, A Merca and A Bola...
(1174), which he held but briefly. He was also briefly installed in the Limia
A Limia
A Limia is a comarca in the Galician Province of Ourense. The overall population of this local region is 24,266 .-Municipalities:Baltar, Os Blancos, Calvos de Randín, Porqueira, Rairiz de Veiga, Sandiás, Sarreaus, Trasmiras, Vilar de Barrio, Vilar de Santos and Xinzo de Limia....
in 1173, and he was re-installed as governor there on four later occasions: 1178–79, 1182–84, 1187, and 1195–96. In 1177 he was briefly sine terra ("without land"), but was installed in Lemos, which he held until 1180, and where he governed subsequently in 1187 and 1192. By April 1178 he had attained the rank of count
Count
A count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
(Latin: comes), the highest in the kingdom, and was charged with the tenencias of the Cabrera
Castrillo de Cabrera
Castrillo de Cabrera , Castriellu de Cabreira in Leonese language, is a municipality located in the province of León, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2010 census , the municipality has a population of 152 inhabitants spread over the six villages that make up the municipality...
(1178–81) and Toroño (1178).
Sometime before January 1183 Fernando married Estefanía López, daughter of Lope Díaz I de Haro
Lope Díaz I de Haro
Lope Díaz I de Haro was the fourth Lord of Biscay . He was an important magnate in Castile during the reign of the Emperor Alfonso VII and in the kingdom of his son and grandson. Between 1147 and 1168 he is recorded as governing Old Castile on behalf of the crown.-Political career:Lope was the...
and Aldonza Rodríguez. She gave him two sons, Fernando and Pedro. By 29 October 1200 the couple had separated, but she was still alive as late as July 1215. In 1183 Fernando made donations to the Order of Calatrava
Order of Calatrava
The Order of Calatrava was the first military order founded in Castile, but the second to receive papal approval. The papal bull confirming the Order of Calatrava as a Militia was given by Pope Alexander III on September 26, 1164.-Origins and Foundation:...
and to the regular clergy
Regular clergy
Regular clergy, or just regulars, is applied in the Roman Catholic Church to clerics who follow a "rule" in their life. Strictly, it means those members of religious orders who have made solemn profession. It contrasts with secular clergy.-Terminology and history:The observance of the Rule of St...
of the Sar
O Sar
Sar is a comarca in the province of A Coruña, Galicia, western Spain. The overall population of this local region is 17,354 ....
. In 1188 he was appointed majordomo by Ferdinand II, and he continued in that post under Alfonso IX as late as September 1189. This period, the final years of the reign of Ferdinand II and the early years of that of his son, corresponds to Fernando Ponce's maximum power and influence, when he held the large and important tenencias of Extremadura
Extremadura
Extremadura is an autonomous community of western Spain whose capital city is Mérida. Its component provinces are Cáceres and Badajoz. It is bordered by Portugal to the west...
(1188–92), Salamanca
Salamanca
Salamanca is a city in western Spain, in the community of Castile and León. Because it is known for its beautiful buildings and urban environment, the Old City was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. It is the most important university city in Spain and is known for its contributions to...
(1189–90), Tierra de Campos (1186–93), Valladolid
Valladolid
Valladolid is a historic city and municipality in north-central Spain, situated at the confluence of the Pisuerga and Esgueva rivers, and located within three wine-making regions: Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Cigales...
(1190), and Zamora
Zamora, Spain
Zamora is a city in Castile and León, Spain, the capital of the province of Zamora. It lies on a rocky hill in the northwest, near the frontier with Portugal and crossed by the Duero river, which is some 50 km downstream as it reaches the Portuguese frontier...
(1176, 1188–92). He also held Sanabria
Senabria
Sanabria is a comarca in the northeast of the province of Zamora, western Spain, situated between Galicia, Portugal and the province of León. It belongs to the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León...
(1182–89), Mayorga (1186–87), Benavente
Benavente, Zamora
Benavente is a municipality in the north of the province of Zamora, in the autonomous community Castile and León of Spain. It has about 20,000 inhabitants....
(1186–89), and the Transierra (1188). Sanabria and Zamora had once been held by his father and passed on to his elder brother. Late in his career he briefly possessed Robledo
Robledo, Spain
Robledo is a municipality in Albacete, Castile-La Mancha, Spain. It has a population of 461....
(1198) and Valdemora
Valdemora
Valdemora is a municipality located in the province of León, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 102 inhabitants....
(1198). In 1200 Fernando Ponce made a second donation to the Cathedral of Zamora, where his father was buried, his first in thirty-seven years. When he died not long thereafter he was buried in the abbey of Moreruela.