ella (daughter of
Diego Porcellos), and grandfather of Fernan Gonzalez. His son Gonzalo
Nuno, Fernan's father, succeeded on his death to the dignity of Judge of
Castile, and became extremely popular, owing to his affability, and
winning urbanity of deportment in his public character. He established
an academy in his palace for the education of the sons of the nobles,
who were instructed under his own superintendence in all the
accomplishments which could render them distinguished in peace or in
war. The maternal grandfather of Fernan Gonzalez was Nuno Fernandez, one
of the Counts of Castile who were treacherously seized and put to death
by Don Ordono, King of Leon. The young Count of Castile is described as
having been a model of elegance. To singular personal beauty he added an
unmatched proficiency in all the exercises then in vogue, principally in
arms and equitation. These accomplishments, being added to much
affability and good-nature, won him the affections of the young nobles,
who strove to imitate his perfections, while they enjoyed the
festivities of his palace.

It appears that, notwithstanding the rebellion, and appointment of
Judges, Castile had subsequently professed allegiance to the Kings of
Leon; for a second revolt was organized in the reign of Don Ramiro, at
the head of which we find Fernan Gonzalez. On this occasion, feeling
themselves too feeble to resist the royal troops, the rebels had
recourse to a Moorish chief, Aecipha. The King, however, speedily drove
the Moors across the frontier, and succeeded in capturing the principal
revolters. After a short period these were released, on the sole
condition of taking the oath of allegiance; and the peace was
subsequently sealed by the marriage of a daughter of Gonzalez with Don
Ordono, eldest son of Ramiro, and heir to the kingdom.

The Count of Castile was, however, too powerful a vassal to continue
long on peaceable terms with a sovereign, an alliance with whose family
had more than ever smoothed the progressive ascent of his pretensions.
Soon after the accession of his son-in-law Don Ordono, he entered into
an alliance against him with the King of Navarre. This declaration of
hostility was followed by the divorce of Fernan's daughter by the King,
who immediately entered into a second wedlock. The successor of this
monarch, Don Sancho, surnamed the Fat, was indebted for a large portion
of his misfortunes and vicissitudes to the hostility of the Count o