Alexandre Herculano, (1810-1877) wrote many an inspiring and powerful tales about his nation, but the most moving may have been the haunting story of a father, a son, and a castle. Few Portuguese school children escape without reading Herculano's "Tale of Honor," which takes place at Faria Castle. In the 14th century, Castilians put a siege to the castle, under the command of Gonçalo Nunes. And, they held his father, Nuno Gonçalves, captive. The Castilians threatened to kill Nuno Gonçalves if his son did not surrender. But, the old man shouted to his son to fight to the end.
Alexandre Herculano, (1810-1877) introduced the historic novel to Portugal His remains lie in a majestic tomb in the Jerónimos Monastery at Belém, near Lisbon. Herculano told many an inspiring and powerful tale about his nation, but the most moving may have been the story of a father, a son, and a castle. Few Portuguese school children escape without reading Herculano's "Tale of Honor," which takes place at Faria Castle. In the 14th century, Castilians outnumbered the commander of the castle, Gonçalo Nunes, and also held his father, Nuno Gonçalves, captive after he had tried to get reinforcements to break the siege. They threatened to kill Nuno if his son did not surrender. But, Nuno told his son to fight to the last.
"You know, Gonçalo Nunes, to whom this castle belongs, under the code of war, I placed it under your control?."
"It is of our lord, the king, D. Fernando of Portugal, to whom you swore allegiance."
"You know, Gonçalo Nunes, the duty of an Alcaide is to never hand over, for any reason, your castle to the enemy - even if you are buried in its ruins?"
"I know, my father! - said Gonçalo Nunes, in a soft voice so as not be heard by the Castilians. "But do you not see that it is your death if they think that you counseled me to resist?"
Nuno Gonçalves, as if he had not heard his son, then said in a loud voice, "Then if you know how to fulfill your duty, Alcaide of the castle of Faria! Damned be you to hell, the moment that anyone enters this castle without stepping over your dead body."
The Castilian commander was not amused and killed Dom Nuno on the spot. his final words were, "Defend yourself, Alcaide!" But the outnumbered Portuguese resisted with fierce determination and after a terrible siege, the Castilians were defeated.
Today, in nearby Barcelos (Northern Portugal), a statue of the father and son stands in the center of the town, united in an embrace, their swords still ready to meet the enemy. The ruined Faria castle, still stands, about 3 miles southwest of Barcelos. Excavations have confirmed habitation in the Bronze and Iron ages, the Roman era and the Middle Ages. The ruins include walls from the reign of D. Afonso Henriques (1139-1185) and the castle keep, plus other defensive structures from the reign of King Fernando (1367-1383). A further keep dates from the reign of King Dinis (1279-1325).