Rodrigo Calderón: Fall of the Favourite’s Favourite
Of humble origins, Rodrigo Calderón became a key figure at the court of Philip III of Spain. Notorious in life, he gained dignity and immortality in death, as Santiago Martínez Hernández explains.
On the morning of October 21st, 1621, in the first year of the reign of Philip IV, a man dressed in wretched garments was led astride a mule through the streets of Madrid to be executed. Don Rodrigo de Aranda, 1st Marquis of Siete Iglesias and 1st Count of la Oliva, the Commander of Ocaña of the Order of Santiago, secretary to the Chamber and Captain of the King’s German Guard, who had been the principal favourite of the Cardinal-Duke of Lerma, the valido (royal favourite and acting first minister) of the recently deceased Philip III, would die with his throat cut a few hours later.
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