San Fernando Sword

Ferdinand III was King of Castile (1217) and King of León (1230) as well as King of Galicia (1231). He was the son of Alfonso IX of León and Berenguela of Castile. Through his second marriage he was also Count of Aumale. Ferdinand III was one of the most successful kings of Castile, securing not only the permanent union of the crowns of Castile and León, but also masterminding the most expansive campaign of Reconquista yet.

By military and diplomatic efforts, Ferdinand greatly expanded the dominions of Castile into southern Spain, annexing many of the great old cities of al-Andalus.

Ferdinand was canonized in 1671 by Pope Clement X and, in Spanish, he is known as Fernando el Santo, San Fernando or San Fernando Rey. Places such as San Fernando, Pampanga, and the San Fernando de Dilao Church in Paco, Manila in the Philippines, and in California, San Fernando City and the San Fernando Valley, were named for him and placed under his patronage.

On the domestic front, Ferdinand strengthened the University of Salamanca and erected the current Cathedral of Burgos. Ferdinand founded houses for friars of the Dominican, Franciscan, Trinitarian, and Mercedarian Orders throughout Andalusia. He himself joined the Third Order of St. Francis, and is honored in that Order.

By the time of his death in 1252, Ferdinand III had delivered to his son and heir, Alfonso X, a massively expanded kingdom. On his death bed, Ferdinand said to his son "you will be rich in land and in many good vassals, more than any other king in Christendom." Alfonso X was one of the great cultural promoters of the Middle Age. In one of his books “Las Siete Partidas”, enhanced the four values every sword should bear: Good Sense, Strength, Prudence and Justice.

Ferdinand was buried in the Cathedral of Seville by his son, Alfonso X. His tomb is inscribed in four languages: Arabic, Hebrew, Latin, and an early version of Castilian. Today Saint Fernando can still be seen in the Cathedral of Seville, for he rests enclosed in a gold and crystal casket worthy of the king. His golden crown still encircles his head

The symbol of his power as a king was his sword "Lobera" (literally: "the wolf-slaying sword") was the symbol of power used by Saint Ferdinand III of Castile. It is a relic kept in the Capilla Real at the Seville Cathedral.

Overall: 100 cm/40 inches
Width: 16 cm
Weight: 2 kg