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.

Origins of the Guzmán Family

The family of Guzmán was originally lords of Abiados, on the southern slope of the Picos de Europa in the hill country of León. The name is believed to be a contraction or corruption of Gundamaris, i.e. son of Gundamar. An early family tradition represents them as having come from Britain, and they may have descended from one of the Scandinavian invaders who attacked the north coast of Spain in the 10th century. It is in the 10th century that they first appear, and they grew great by the Reconquista of the country from the Muslims.

Related Topics:
Abiados - Picos de Europa - León - Britain - Scandinavia - Spain - 10th century - Reconquista - Muslims

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The branch to which the dukes of Medina Sidonia belonged was founded by Alonso Pérez de Guzmán (1256-1309), surnamed El Bueno, the good, in the sense of good at need, or stout-hearted. In 1296 he defended the town of Tarifa on behalf of Ferdinand IV, and when the besiegers threatened to murder one of his sons whom they held as a prisoner if he did not surrender, he allowed the boy to be killed. He was rewarded by great grants of crown land. The duchy of Medina Sidonia, the oldest in Spain, was conferred by John II in 1445 on one of his descendants, Juan Alonzo de Guzmán, count of Niebla. The addition "El Bueno" to the family name of Guzmán was used by several of the house, which included many statesmen, generals and colonial viceroys.

Related Topics:
1256 - 1309 - 1296 - Ferdinand IV - Besiegers - Murder - Duchy of Medina Sidonia - John II - 1445 - Niebla - Viceroy

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