Gonzalo Fernández de Traba
Encyclopedia
Gonzalo Fernández de Traba (died 1160) was a Galician
nobleman and the leader of the House of Traba. He was the eldest son and successor of Fernando Pérez de Traba by his wife Sancha González. By 1 August 1150 he had married a certain Elvira Rodríguez, a woman of unknown origins, with whom, on that date, he made a donation of his interest in San Julián de Ezebreiro to the Cistercian monastery of Monfero. By 12 January 1156 he was re-married to Berenguela Rodríguez, daughter of Rodrigo Vélaz
and Urraca Álvarez and sister of Álvaro Rodríguez
, thus relating himself by marriage to the Vela family. His sons, all by his first wife, were Fernando
, Gómez
and Rodrigo. He also two daughters by his first wife: Urraca, who married Fruela Ramírez, and Aldonza, who married Lope Díaz I de Haro
.
Gonzalo held the title of count
, pertaining to the highest rank in the kingdom, by 4 February 1155, when he signed a royal charter at Valladolid
as comes Gundisaluus. Since his father is never mentioned in royal documents after 8 November 1154, it is probable that he had died and his son had been named a count as his successor. This scheme is complicated two charters of donation dated 1 July 1155 by Fernando and his brother Vermudo to the monastery they had founded at Sobrado dos Monxes. If authentic, these charters would push his date of death back a half-year and demonstrate that Gonzalo held the comital rank within his father's lifetime. Two documents in the archives of Sobrado, dated 1151 and June 1160, are confirmed by a comes dompnus Fernandus in Traua et in Aranga et in Monteroso ("count Don Fernando in Traba and in Aranga and in Monterroso") and a comes dompnus Fernandus senior in Monteroso et in Traua ("count Don Fernando, lord in Monterroso and in Traba"), respectively. These are probably copyists' errors for Gundesaluus Fernandi (Gonzalo Fernández).
Although Gonzalo is first mentioned in a document of 1 August 1140, his public life began with the death of his father and the assumption of the comital title. By December 1155 the government of the tenencia (fief) of Trastámara
had been confided in him. He is last recorded ruling there in January 1159. By February 1156 he had been invested with the tenencias of Aranga and Traba, which he kept until his death. Trastámara and Traba, though not patrimonial lands, were royal territories usually entrusted to members of the Traba family. In February 1160 the important fief of Monterroso
was added to his domains, though there is some evidence that he held it from as early as 1157. A charter dated 1152 refers to him tenente ("holding") Monterroso, but goes on to name Ferdinand II of León
(1157–88) as the reigning monarch.
Probably on 16 September 1159 Gonzalo came to an agreement with the Archbishop of Santiago, Martín Martínez and the canons of the Cathedral of Santiago
concerning jurisdiction in Montaos. On 27 October 1159 Gonzalo made a donation to the important Benedictine
monastery at Jubia in Galicia. He is last cited alive in a document of 9 September 1160 and another of 18 November explicitly refers to his death.
Kingdom of Galicia
The Kingdom of Galicia was a political entity located in southwestern Europe, which at its territorial zenith occupied the entire northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Founded by Suebic king Hermeric in the year 409, the Galician capital was established in Braga, being the first kingdom which...
nobleman and the leader of the House of Traba. He was the eldest son and successor of Fernando Pérez de Traba by his wife Sancha González. By 1 August 1150 he had married a certain Elvira Rodríguez, a woman of unknown origins, with whom, on that date, he made a donation of his interest in San Julián de Ezebreiro to the Cistercian monastery of Monfero. By 12 January 1156 he was re-married to Berenguela Rodríguez, daughter of Rodrigo Vélaz
Rodrigo Vélaz
Rodrigo Vélaz was the "count of Galicia, who held Sarria" according to the near-contemporary Chronica Adefonsi imperatoris. During his long public career he was the dominant figure in mountainous eastern Galicia while the House of Traba dominated its western seaboard. He served under three...
and Urraca Álvarez and sister of Álvaro Rodríguez
Álvaro Rodríguez
Álvaro Rodríguez was a Galician magnate during the reigns of Alfonso VII and Ferdinand II.Álvaro was the son of Rodrigo Vélaz and Urraca Álvarez, perhaps a daughter of Álvar Fáñez and Mayor Pérez, daughter of Pedro Ansúrez. He married Sancha, an illegitimate daughter of Fernando Pérez de Traba and...
, thus relating himself by marriage to the Vela family. His sons, all by his first wife, were Fernando
Fernando González de Traba
Fernando González de Traba was a Galician magnate and the head of the House of Traba in the Kingdom of León during the reign of Ferdinand II. He was the eldest son of Gonzalo Fernández de Traba and Elvira Rodríguez. He was the alférez of the realm from April 1159 until at least 31 July 1160...
, Gómez
Gómez González de Traba
Gómez González de Traba was a Galician nobleman, a count from 1169, and a wealthy and influential figure in the Kingdom of León. He was the second son of Gonzalo Fernández de Traba and his first wife, Elvira Rodríguez...
and Rodrigo. He also two daughters by his first wife: Urraca, who married Fruela Ramírez, and Aldonza, who married 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...
.
Gonzalo held the title 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...
, pertaining to the highest rank in the kingdom, by 4 February 1155, when he signed a royal charter at 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...
as comes Gundisaluus. Since his father is never mentioned in royal documents after 8 November 1154, it is probable that he had died and his son had been named a count as his successor. This scheme is complicated two charters of donation dated 1 July 1155 by Fernando and his brother Vermudo to the monastery they had founded at Sobrado dos Monxes. If authentic, these charters would push his date of death back a half-year and demonstrate that Gonzalo held the comital rank within his father's lifetime. Two documents in the archives of Sobrado, dated 1151 and June 1160, are confirmed by a comes dompnus Fernandus in Traua et in Aranga et in Monteroso ("count Don Fernando in Traba and in Aranga and in Monterroso") and a comes dompnus Fernandus senior in Monteroso et in Traua ("count Don Fernando, lord in Monterroso and in Traba"), respectively. These are probably copyists' errors for Gundesaluus Fernandi (Gonzalo Fernández).
Although Gonzalo is first mentioned in a document of 1 August 1140, his public life began with the death of his father and the assumption of the comital title. By December 1155 the government of the tenencia (fief) of Trastámara
Trastámara
The House of Trastámara was a dynasty of kings in the Iberian Peninsula, which first governed in Castile beginning in 1369 before expanding its rule into Aragón, Navarre and Naples.They were a cadet illegitimate line of the House of Burgundy....
had been confided in him. He is last recorded ruling there in January 1159. By February 1156 he had been invested with the tenencias of Aranga and Traba, which he kept until his death. Trastámara and Traba, though not patrimonial lands, were royal territories usually entrusted to members of the Traba family. In February 1160 the important fief of Monterroso
Monterroso
Monterroso is a municipality in Lugo province in Galicia in north-west Spain.-History:Monterroso was the seat of an important tenencia in medieval Galicia...
was added to his domains, though there is some evidence that he held it from as early as 1157. A charter dated 1152 refers to him tenente ("holding") Monterroso, but goes on to name Ferdinand II of León
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...
(1157–88) as the reigning monarch.
Probably on 16 September 1159 Gonzalo came to an agreement with the Archbishop of Santiago, Martín Martínez and the canons of the Cathedral of Santiago
Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral of the archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. The cathedral is the reputed burial-place of Saint James the Greater, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. It is the destination of the Way of St...
concerning jurisdiction in Montaos. On 27 October 1159 Gonzalo made a donation to the important 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...
monastery at Jubia in Galicia. He is last cited alive in a document of 9 September 1160 and another of 18 November explicitly refers to his death.