Origins of the name TEDO

(Thanks to the kind generosity of John Owens in 1999)

A Lenda do Tedo

ATTN: This lenda is close enough to your place to touch. Therefore I expect some in-depth investigation on y'all's part to verify. It all starts in the early XI century when your area is still under heathen Moorish roule, with the king residing in a palace in Lamego, which wasn't taken until 1057 by Don Fernando I.

Don Tedo and his brother Rausendo, descendants of King Ramiro II de Leao (Leon) were strong and fierce caudilhos (warriors) who were the first Christians in this infidel land, and helped to build the first church in the area in the valley of Tevora from the trees of the Sousa. Don Tedo went to the king unarmed in order to come to some kind of truce, but was immediately imprisoned (tricky Muslims).

The king Alboacem had a beautiful daughter (they always do), Ardinia, who saw the most dashing Christian warrior and you've guessed it, they fell in love at first sight. She helped him to escape (of course). The furious king swore revenge against whoever had done this. The princess fled the palace with her "irma de leite" there they finally came upon an old monk named Gelasio, (conveniently) who proceeded to baptize them.

Afterwards, the two girls went out to the prearranged place to meet Don Tedo on the banks of the Rio Tavora. But, out of nowhere, appeared the king who got his revenge by killing Ardinia with a lance to the chest (snifle, snifle). Don Tedo heard of this evil deed and swore never to marry. He took her limp body and buried her in a mosteiro that he had built, which according to the book must be that of San Pedro das Aguias.

Soon after in battle, Don Tedo, never the same after Ardinia's death, was killed and his blood flowed into a small stream which came to be called Rio Tedo. According to the book the waters of this rio are of unique medicinal value, "rarissima no Mundo". This is the Rio Tedo of Quinta do Tedo.