Fernando Rodríguez de Castro (died 1304)

Fernando Rodríguez de Castro (died 1304) was a Castilian nobleman and military figure, a prominent member of the House of Castro. He held several important positions during his lifetime, often caught between the competing claims of the Castilian crown and the aspirations of regional lords.

He was the son of Rodrigo Fernández de Castro, Lord of Lemos and Sarria, and Violante Sánchez. Through his lineage, he possessed significant influence in Galicia and León.

Fernando Rodríguez de Castro played a role in the tumultuous political landscape of late 13th-century Castile, particularly during the reigns of Sancho IV and Ferdinand IV. He often sided with those challenging royal authority, leading to periods of rebellion and exile. His alliances shifted depending on the circumstances, reflecting the fluid and often unpredictable nature of the period.

He is documented as having held the title of Pertiguero Mayor of Santiago, a powerful position in the ecclesiastical territory of Santiago de Compostela. This role gave him control over significant resources and influence in the region.

His life was marked by military campaigns and political maneuvering. He participated in conflicts against the Moors, as well as internal struggles within Castile. His death in 1304 removed a significant player from the Castilian political scene, although the House of Castro continued to be a force for generations to come.

His descendants inherited his lands and influence, perpetuating the family's prominent role in the northwestern regions of the Iberian Peninsula. His life serves as a case study of the complexities and challenges faced by nobles during the late medieval period in Castile.