García Fernández of Castile

García Fernández of Castile
García Fernández of Castile
Spouse(s)	Ava de Ribagorza
Noble family	Beni Mamaduna
Father	Fernán González of Castile
Mother	Sancha Sánchez of Pamplona
Born	c. 938 Burgos
Died	995 Córdoba

García Fernández, called of the White Hands (Spanish: Él de las Manos Blancas) (Burgos, c. 938 – Córdoba, 995), was the count of Castile and Alava from 970 to 995. In May 995, he was captured by a raiding party while out hunting. Wounded in the encounter, he was sent to Cordoba as a trophy, but died at Medinaceli in June 995.

The son of Count Fernán González and Queen Sancha Sánchez of Pamplona, in 970 he succeeded his father as Count of Castile. He continued to recognise the suzerainty of the Kingdom of León, even though he was practically autonomous. In order to expand his frontiers at the expense of the Moors, in 974 he expanded the social base of the nobility by promulgating decrees stating that any villein of Castrojeriz who equipped a knight for battle would enter the ranks of the nobility. He was succeeded by his son, Sancho I of Castile.

Around 960, Garcia married Ava de Ribagorza, daughter of Raymond II, count of Ribagorza. They had seven children: