Juan Fernández de Velasco y Tovar, 5th Duke of Frías facts for kids

Juan Fernández de Velasco, 5th Duke of Frías (born around 1550 – died March 15, 1613) was an important Spanish nobleman and a skilled diplomat. A diplomat is someone who represents their country in talks with other countries.

Life of Juan Fernández de Velasco

Juan Fernández de Velasco was the son of Íñigo Fernández de Velasco, 4th Duke of Frías. His mother was Maria Angela de Aragón y Guzmán El Bueno. Juan inherited a very important title from his father: Constable of Castile. This was a high-ranking position in the Spanish kingdom.

A Diplomat in England

In 1604, Juan played a key role in signing the Treaty of London (1604). This treaty helped end a long war between Spain and England.

When he visited England, the Spanish ambassador asked King James if Juan could stay at Somerset House. This was a grand royal palace. Anne of Denmark, the Queen, agreed to this request. The palace was decorated with beautiful royal tapestries for his visit. His bedroom even had a special bed made of "morado damask" fabric with gold borders.

Juan arrived in London on August 20, 1604. He traveled to Somerset House by barge on the River Thames. Many people watched his arrival from other boats. Among the spectators were Queen Anne herself, the Countess of Suffolk, the Earl of Nottingham, and Robert Cecil. The Queen wore a mask and her boat was disguised so people wouldn't know it was her.

Juan met King James on August 25. Three days later, he had a meeting with Queen Anne. He also watched Prince Henry dance and practice with a pike in the garden. As a gift, Juan gave the young prince a pony.

Governor of Milan

Juan Fernández de Velasco also served as the Governor of the Duchy of Milan twice. He held this important position from 1592 to 1600, and again from 1610 to 1612. Milan was a very important area in Italy that was controlled by Spain at the time.

In 1595, he led Spanish forces in the Battle of Fontaine-Française against the French army. However, he was too careful during the battle. Because of his excessive caution, he missed a chance to win a big victory.

Family and Descendants

Around 1580, Juan Fernández de Velasco married María Girón de Guzmán. She was the eldest daughter of Pedro Girón de la Cueva, 1st Duke of Osuna. They had a son and a daughter together.

Their daughter, Ana de Velasco y Girón, married Teodósio II, Duke of Braganza. In 1604, Ana gave birth to a son named João. This João later became King João IV of Portugal on December 1, 1640. This means Juan Fernández de Velasco was the great-grandfather of a king!

After his first wife María passed away, Juan Fernández de Velasco married Joana de Córdoba y Aragón in 1608. They had three more children together.

Children by María Girón de Guzmán:

• Íñigo Fernández de Velasco, 9th Count of Haro
• Ana de Velasco y Girón, who married Teodósio II, Duke of Braganza and was the mother of King John IV of Portugal.

Children by Joana de Córdoba y Aragón:

• Bernardino Fernández de Velasco, 6th Duke of Frías, who married Isabel Maria de Guzmán.
• Luis de Velasco, 1st Marquis del Fresno, who married Catarina de Velasco.
• Mariana Fernandez de Velasco, who passed away in 1650. She married António II Alvarez de Toledo, 7th Duke of Alba.

Images for kids

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  Quaderno de varias escrituras en las diferencias de iuridiciones ecclesiastica y real del estado de Milan, a book from 1597.

See also

In Spanish: Juan Fernández de Velasco y Tovar para niños