Thursday, June 2, 2011

Ferdinand III of Castile

Saint, knight, king, crusader, and cousin of St. Louis IX. (Like Louis, he was a great grandson of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine.)
In 1224, with his internal political affairs resolved, the youthful Crusader turned his attention to the Reconquest, a military campaign that with a few short intervals occupied him for the rest of his life. Quesada, the first town to fall, was typical of the many that followed. The Castilians placed cloth-muffled ladders against the walls just before daylight. Fernando raced up a ladder, jumped on the wall first, and struck down an approaching guard with a firm gashing blow to his head. The other knights were just seconds behind. Shouting, “Santiago and Castile,” the Crusaders threw themselves into the fight to protect the life of their valiant King, who always seemed to be ahead of them. Slashing and cutting, they gained control of the wall and towers and opened the gates, allowing their army to rush in and capture the streets and squares. The first rays of the sun saw the town in Christian hands. (Read entire article.)
 Incorrupt body of Ferdinand III of Castile
Share

1 comment:

AJ said...

He second favorite saint. My first is Joan of Arc. The two of them were great examples on how to live your life for God. God bless Joan and Ferdinand.