The Military Career of the Fifth Marquis of Távara (1604–1665)

What is it about?

The V Marquis of Távara is a nobleman whose military career follow a path upwards along in the chain of command. In spite of his significant military life, we can find very few references in the recent historiography. In his biography there is a common –albeit winding– thread running through the implications for him from his military career. Yet, when he finishes it, he devote his military experience and progress, thanks to his effectiveness in duty but also marring strategy key figures belong to the military apparatus of the Monarchy, to select and appoint relevant nobles in different military orders as President of the Council of Orders. And then we can also observe the relevance of some women in military promotion. He have been flexible and malleable in his loyalties, his ambition was his own promotion at Court and to preserve his linage for the Marquisates of Távara and obtain the grandee, which he did not get. The strategy will be establishing marriage alliances with other families, but were decisive the services rendered to Philip IV as a military of great experience. His obsession was to obtain for himself recognition both of titles Marquis of Távara and Count of Alba de Liste. There were other similar cases, of military promotion by marriages, and probably it was pretty normal, so that to have success as military was also necessary not only mastering the profession but also success in marriage, which means alliances at Court.

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