Background
Born at Medina del Campo, he was the younger son of King John I of Castile and Eleanor of Aragon.
Born at Medina del Campo, he was the younger son of King John I of Castile and Eleanor of Aragon.
He was also regent of Castile (1406–1416). In this capacity he distinguished himself by his prudent administration of domestic affairs The other candidate, Count James II of Urgell (see Counts of Urgell), revolted and Ferdinand dissolved the County of Urgell in 1413.
Ferdinand created the title of Prince of Girona for the heir of the Crown of Aragon on 19 February 1416.
The Italian humanist Lorenzo Valla wrote an official biography of Ferdinand, Historiarum Ferdinandi regis Aragonum libri sexual "He was tall, a little more than average, and thin and ruddy, and his cheeks had a few freckles.. very patient to all who wanted to talk to him, even if their speeches were ordinary or not well-reasoned..".