By José Carlos Palma*
For over seven centuries, the death of Infante Fadrique de Castilla has remained shrouded in mystery, a perplexing puzzle with no clear answers. Perhaps one day a surprising document or new evidence will shed light on this enigma, but for now, it continues to baffle historians and enthusiasts alike.
Beyond the inevitable curiosity that palace conspiracies provoke, some cases present real headaches—such is the case with the death of Infante Fadrique in 1277. The circumstances of his execution were exceptionally strange, and there is only one confirmed detail: it was ordered by his brother, King Alfonso X the Wise.
Fadrique’s life was nothing short of novelistic. He led the “Knights of Death,” a formidable group of 500 armored horsemen who struck terror in the Italian wars. He financed the translation of Sendebar (also known as The Book of Deceptions), and his military prowess made him a key strategist in the Mediterranean.
Yet, his death remains unexplained. Seven centuries later, there are no surviving witnesses or clues to investigate, only the accounts that recorded the event. Despite their impartiality, the sources agree on several key points:
Without trial or explanation, King Alfonso decided to execute his brother Fadrique and his brother-in-law, Simón Ruiz de los Cameros. Simón was captured by the king’s son, Infante Don Sancho, in Logroño, and that same day in Burgos, Diego López Salcedo apprehended Fadrique. Simón was burned alive in Treviño, while all sources agree that Fadrique died at the Castle of Burgos. However, the exact manner of his death is contested. The Chronicle of Alfonso X states he was strangled (“the king ordered Don Fadrique to be hanged”), while the Annals of the Reign of Alfonso X describes a more brutal torture (“he ordered him to be placed in a chest filled with sharp iron, and there he died”).
The most likely scenario is that Fadrique was executed by garrote, a method prescribed for certain crimes like high treason at the time. Additionally, the Chronicle is older than the Annals. Still, we know nothing about the specifics of Fadrique’s condemnation or the motivations behind his death. The Chronicle of Alfonso X merely notes: “because the king learned some things about Infante Fadrique,” but this raises the question: what things?
Prominent historians such as Jesús Montoya Martínez, Manuel González Jiménez, and Antonio Ballesteros Beretta have sought to uncover the truth, but the case remains incredibly complex.
Various theories have emerged, including alleged political conspiracies, supposed homosexual relations between Fadrique and his son-in-law, and even the hypothetical seduction of Queen Violante. None of these theories provide a conclusive answer.
The mystery has even led historian Jerónimo Zurita to propose an astrological motivation, suggesting that the king, imbued with magical knowledge, had his brother killed to avoid a prophecy that would cause him to lose his throne. Naturally, this theory is the most unbelievable, merely another chapter in the magical legend of Alfonso X, who was believed to have been cursed for his excessive trust in astrological knowledge.
This version may have inspired playwright Calderón de la Barca to create the character of King Basilio in Life is a Dream, based on this distorted image of the Castilian king.
Why was Fadrique de Castilla executed? The mystery remains unsolved, and perhaps a surprising discovery will illuminate this dark chapter of history someday. Until then, the enigma continues.
*José Palma, a versatile and highly skilled collaborator at Smartencyclopedia. With a multi-faceted role that encompasses project creation, site development, and editorial leadership, José is a vital force behind our platform’s success. His expertise extends into various areas of international relations, IT consultancy, world history, political consultancy, and military analysis.