Alonso de Guzman El Bueno, 7th Duke of Medina Sidonia

Don Alonso Pérez de Guzmán el Bueno, 7th Duke of Medina Sidonia (September 10, 1550 - 1615) was the commander-in-chief of the Spanish Armada. He was the son of Don Juan Carlos de Guzmán, eldest son of the 6th duke, and of his wife Doña Leonor Manrique de Zuniga y Sotomayor. His father died in 1555, and Don Alonso became duke, and master of one of the greatest fortunes in Europe, on the death of his grandfather in 1539.

Honors Received

Don Alonso made no serious effort to save his mother-in-law from the persecution she suffered at the hands of Philip II. His correspondence is full of whining complaints of poverty, and appeals to the king for pecuniary favors. In 1581 he was created a knight of the Golden Fleece, and was named captain-general of Lombardy. By pressing supplications to the king he got himself exempted on the ground of poverty and poor health.

Related Topics:
Mother-in-law - 1581 - Knight of the Golden Fleece - Captain-general - Lombardy

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Don Alonso was also the patron of don Jerónimo Sánchez de Carranza who wrote the premier text on the Spanish system of swordplay which was called the 'True Art' or the 'Verdadera Destreza'.

Related Topics:
Jerónimo Sánchez de Carranza - Verdadera Destreza

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~