3-097-609 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Fernando I, King of León, 1855. Alternative title: Ferdinand I, King of Castile and León. Imaginary portrait of Ferdinand (c1016-1065), depicted standing in a palace interior. He wears a gold-embroidered tunic and a red mantle; his right hand rests on the scrolls laid out on a table, on which the coat of arms of Castile and León is displayed, in recognition of his role as legislator. His left hand rests on the hilt of his sword, perhaps also alluding to his warrior-like character that allowed him to reign over a vast territory. Traditionally, he has been considered the first king of Castile and founder of the Castilian monarchy. However, much of the more recent historiography considers that Ferdinand was not king of Castile and that the origin of this kingdom lies in his death, with the division of his territories among his sons and the bequest of Castile to his eldest son, Sancho. The inscription states that he died in 1067.