Fernando Afán de Ribera, 3rd Duke of Alcalá de los Gazules facts for kids
Fernando Afán de Ribera y Téllez-Girón was an important Spanish nobleman and diplomat. He was born on May 10, 1583, in Sevilla, Spain. He passed away on March 28, 1637, in Villach, a town in Austria.
Fernando's Life and Work
Fernando held several important noble titles. He was the 3rd Duke of Alcalá de los Gazules, the 8th Count of los Molares, and the 5th Marquis of Tarifa. These titles showed his high rank in Spanish society. His father was Fernando Enríquez de Ribera y Cortés, and his mother was Ana Téllez-Girón.
He served as an ambassador for Spain to the Holy See, which is the government of the Catholic Church. He was also the main representative for the Pope in Italy, known as the vicar general, during the time of Pope Urban VIII. Fernando also held powerful positions as a viceroy in Catalonia, Naples, and Sicily. A viceroy was like a governor who ruled a region in the name of the king. He was also the Governor of Milan.
Fernando loved art and books very much. He was a patron of many artists, meaning he supported them financially so they could create their works. Famous artists like Jusepe de Ribera and Artemisia Gentileschi received his help. He collected a large and impressive art collection at his home in Seville, called the casa de Pilatos.
He died in 1637 while traveling to Cologne on a special mission. King Philip IV of Spain had sent him as a Plenipotentiary to help negotiate an end to the terrible Thirty Years' War. His body was brought back to Spain and buried in the Monastery of Santa Maria de las Cuevas.
Fernando's Family
Fernando married Beatriz de Moura. Together, they had five children:
- Fernando Enríquez (1614–1633), who became the 6th Marquis of Tarifa. He married Ana de Mendoza Sandoval, but they did not have children.
- Margarita Enríquez, who sadly died when she was young.
- María Enríquez (died 1639), who became the 4th Duchess of Alcalá de los Gazules and the 7th Marquesa of Tarifa. She married Luis Guillermo de Moncada, 7th Duke of Montalto, but they also did not have children.
- Ana Girón Enríquez de Ribera, who married Pedro Fajardo de Zúñiga y Requesens. They did not have children.
- Fernando Enríquez de Ribera.
Fernando also had other children, including Payo Enríquez de Rivera. Payo later became a very important religious leader as the Archbishop of Mexico and also served as the viceroy of New Spain.
See also
In Spanish: Fernando Afán de Ribera y Téllez-Girón para niños
