Fernán Pérez de Andrade
[1] After the king's death and the accession of Henry II to the throne, Fernán Pérez de Andrade continued to be influential with the monarchy and reached the status of a Lord in Galicia.
They remained in the background of the social scene until the fourteenth century, when their influence in the areas of Ferrol, Vilalba, and Pontedeume increased to the point of becoming the most powerful Galician family of the time.
With Don Fernán Pérez de Andrade o Bóo (o Boo meaning "the Good" in the Galician language) - the fourth to have that name - the family achieved greater importance during the reign of Henry II.
To further muddy the water, there are several legendary stories relating the Andrades to the knights that reached the Iberian Peninsula in the retinue of Mendo de Rausona, brother of the last Lombard king, around the eighth century.
This family environment certainly influenced Fernán Pérez de Andrade; he was always ready for battle but had a cautious and observing character in tumultuous times, with minimal romanticism.
Alfonso XI, an enthusiast of the chivalric code, fostered knights as pillars of his society, considering it necessary to bring order to his realm, and honour (and praise) to his subjects.
Fernán Pérez de Andrade, listed as squire in several documents of this time, obtained his first concessions in 1356 from the hands of Henry, by then Count of Trastámara.
He was married to Sancha Rodríguez, the only legitimate daughter of Aras Pardo, who was also a knight of the Orden de la Banda, which augmented his social status.
During the years leading up to 1362, Fernán Pérez achieved considerable wealth, largely due to inheritances from his family, lands, and other mercies received from Henry, Count of Trastámara, and his marriage with Sancha.
Henry's troops marched alongside those of Bertrand du Guesclin, French knight and leader of the free companies (Compañías Blancas) which arrived from France.
Several say[nb 4] that the treacherous restraint of Peter, meant to be involved in to one fight, inspired the well-known quote in Spain "Ni quito ni pongo rey, pero ayudo a mi señor" ("I'm not deposing nor proposing a King, but I am helping my lord") is more in line with Fernán Pérez's attitude, than with that of Bertrand du Guesclin, whose "my lord" wouldn't help Henry, but rather the King of France.
All the copious endowments and benefits enjoyed by Fernán after the death of King Peter could very well be in payment for the well-timed help inside the tent.
Henry, hearing of these maneuvers, returned to Galicia with Bertrand du Guesclin and other knights, Fernán Pérez de Andrade among them.
Fernán Pérez de Andrade held several royal commissions in public office until the end of his life, and left behind a bigger patrimony than that received from his ancestors, placing his lineage as one of the most prominent of the Galician landscape.
Don Fernán Pérez de Andrade was an educated man, by the standards of knighthood of the day, and was concerned with his reputation, both at the time and in the future.
Even though he was given the nickname of “o Bóo”, Galician for "The good one", we must not overlook his abusive behaviour and lack of scruples, and his talent for siding with the winning party in a way that benefited him.
