Hermenegildo González


Hermenegildo González or Mendo I Gonçalves was a Galician count in the 10th century Kingdom of León, tenente in Deza, and the ancestor of one of the most relevant Galaico-Portuguese lineages of the Early Middle Ages. He appears in medieval charters confirming as Ermegildus Gundisaluis.

Biographical sketch

The son of count Gonzalo Betótez and Teresa Eriz, and maternal grandson of count Ero Fernández, Hermenegildo had several brothers and sisters, including Aragonta González, who was the wife of Ordoño II of León before being set aside, and count Pelayo González.
He begins to appear in medieval charters in 926, and apparently died relatively young, as he is no longer seen after 943, and certainly by 950 when his widow and children divide the inheritance, while his widow continues to appear through 981.

Marriage and issue

He married Mumadona Dias, Countess of Portugal between 915 and 920, daughter of Count Diego Fernández and Countess Onecca and founder of the Monastery of Guimarães. In 926, King Ramiro II of León donated to the couple the village known as Creximir near Guimarães. Two years later, Mumadona's mother, Onecca, made a donation, confirmed by several magnates, including her son-in-law Hermenegildo, to the Monastery of Lorvão in memoria domnissimi nostri nomini ueremudi diue memorie where she mentions all her children: