Ana de Mendoza y de Silva, Princess of Éboli facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Princess of Eboli
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Ana de Mendoza, Princess of Éboli
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Ana de Mendoza de la Cerda y de Silva Cifuentes
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| Born | 29 June 1540 Cifuentes, Guadalajara, Spain |
| Died | 2 February 1592 (aged 51) Pastrana, Guadalajara, Spain |
| Noble family | House of Mendoza House of Silva |
| Spouse(s) | Ruy Gómez de Silva |
| Father | Diego Hurtado de Mendoza y de la Cerda |
| Mother | Isabel Hurtrado de Mendoza |
Ana de Mendoza de la Cerda y de Silva Cifuentes, Princess of Eboli, Duchess of Pastrana (born June 29, 1540 – died February 2, 1592) was a very important Spanish noblewoman. She held titles like 2nd Princess of Mélito and 2nd Duchess of Francavilla in her own right. She was known for her intelligence and influence in the royal court of Spain.
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Early Life of a Spanish Princess
Ana was born into a powerful family in Spain. Her father was Diego Hurtado de Mendoza y de la Cerda, who was the Duke of Francavilla and Prince of Melito. He also served as the Viceroy of Aragon. Her mother was Doña Maria Catalina de Silva y Andrade.
Marriage and Family Life
When Ana was just 13 years old, she married Rui Gomes da Silva, 1st Prince of Éboli. This marriage was suggested by the future King Philip II. Her husband became a very close advisor and friend to King Philip II. Ana was known for being very attractive and lively. She was also a prominent figure in the royal court. Some people believed she might have been blind in one eye. She was good friends with Queen Isabel de Valois.
Ana and her husband had ten children together:
- Diego (born around 1558, died 1563)
- Ana de Silva y Mendoza (1560–1610), who married Alonso Pérez de Guzmán, 7th Duke of Medina Sidonia
- Rodrigo de Silva y Mendoza (1562–1596), who became the 2nd Duke of Pastrana
- Pedro de Silva y Mendoza (born around 1563)
- Diego de Silva y Mendoza (1564–1630), who became the 1st Marquis of Alenquer
- Ruy de Silva y Mendoza (born 1565), who became the 1st Marquis of La Eliseda
- Fernando de Silva y Mendoza, later Pedro González de Mendoza (1570–1639)
- Maria de Mendoza y Maria de Silva (born around 1570)
- Juan de Silva y Mendoza
Life at Court and Later Years
After her husband passed away in 1573, Ana spent three years in a convent. She then returned to public life in 1576. She formed an alliance with Antonio Pérez, who was the King's undersecretary of state. Later, she became involved in political disagreements and was arrested in 1579. Ana de Mendoza passed away in prison on February 2, 1592.
The Princess in Stories and Films
Ana de Mendoza has inspired many stories and characters.
- A character based on her, Princess Eboli, appears in Schiller's play Don Carlos, Infant von Spanien.
- She is also a character in Verdi's opera Don Carlos.
- Kate O'Brien wrote a novel about her called That Lady.
- This novel was made into a film in 1955, also called That Lady, starring Olivia de Havilland as Ana.
- A play called La Tuerta (meaning "The One-Eyed Woman") about Ana's life was performed in 2008.
- Julia Ormond played her in the 2008 film La Conjura de El Escorial.
- Belén Rueda played her in the 2010 TV film La princesa de Éboli.
- In an episode of the children's TV show Arthur in 2018, a character named Lydia mentioned Ana as an example of a princess with a disability, saying she was blinded in a childhood sword fight.
See also
In Spanish: Ana de Mendoza de la Cerda para niños
