Rodrigo Manrique de Lara facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jorge Manrique
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Cross of the Order of Santiago
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| 1st Count of Paredes de Nava | |
| In office 1406–1476 |
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| Monarch | John II of Castile |
| Succeeded by | Pedro Manrique de Lara y Figueroa |
| 45th Grand Master of the Order of Santiago | |
| In office 1474–1476 |
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| Preceded by | Juan Pacheco |
| Succeeded by | Ferdinand II of Aragon |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Jorge Manrique de Lara
1406 |
| Died | November 11, 1476 (aged 69–70) Ocaña, España |
| Parents |
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| Relatives | House of Lara |
| Military service | |
| Battles/wars | First Battle of Olmedo |
Rodrigo Manrique de Lara (born 1406 – died November 11, 1476, in Ocaña, Spain) was a powerful Spanish noble. He was known for his bravery in battles against the Muslim rulers during the Reconquista. Rodrigo often took sides against King John II of Castile and his advisor, Álvaro de Luna.
He held the important title of the first Count of Paredes de Nava. He also became the Grand Master of the Order of Santiago for the Kingdom of Castile.
Contents
Rodrigo's Family Background
Rodrigo was the son of Pedro Manrique de Lara y Mendoza. His father was the Lord of Amusco and Treviño, and a high-ranking official in Castile. His mother was Leonor de Castilla y Alburquerque. Rodrigo's brother, Gómez Manrique, was a famous poet and writer.
The Manrique family, part of the House of Lara, was one of the most powerful noble families in Medieval Spain. They held many important titles, like the Duke of Nájera. In 1520, when King Charles I of Spain first recognized the most important nobles, the Manrique family was well-represented.
Life and Military Career
Rodrigo Manrique spent much of his life in conflict with his main rival, Álvaro de Luna. He fought to protect his lands and titles.
He joined the Order of Santiago in 1418 when he was just 12 years old. This was a military and religious order. In 1434, he helped capture the city of Huéscar. By 1440, he was one of the Order's top thirteen members. King John II of Castile made him the first Count of Paredes de Nava in May 1452.
After King John II died in 1454, Rodrigo became very active in a group of nobles who opposed the new king, Henry IV of Castile. In 1445, he fought in the First Battle of Olmedo against Álvaro de Luna, who supported King Henry IV.
In 1465, Rodrigo took part in an event called the "Farce of Ávila." Here, a group of nobles pretended to remove King Henry IV from power. They used a dummy (an effigy) of the king. They then declared Henry's half-brother, Alfonso of Castile, as the new king. Critics called this ceremony a "farce," and the name stuck. For his role in this event, Rodrigo received the title of Constable of Castile.
After Alfonso's death in 1468, Rodrigo supported Princess Isabella. She later became Isabella I of Castile, a very famous queen. Rodrigo was present when the Treaty of the Bulls of Guisando was signed. This agreement officially recognized Henry IV as king but named Isabella as his heir. This treaty removed Joanna la Beltraneja from the line of succession, which later led to a war over who would be queen.
In 1474, when Isabella I became queen, Rodrigo was named Grand Master of the Order of Santiago. This happened in the town of Uclés. The title of Grand Master had been split into two parts. The previous Grand Master, Juan Pacheco, had given his title to his son. This was not the usual way to become Grand Master, as the role was usually chosen by election.
This led to a power struggle among the nobles of the Order. Rodrigo Manrique de Lara and Don Alonso de Cárdenas both claimed the title. For a time, the Order had two Grand Masters, one for Castile and one for Leon. King Ferdinand II of Aragon helped settle this disagreement. The division ended when Rodrigo Manrique died two years later in 1476.
Marriage and Children
In 1431, Rodrigo Manrique married Mencía de Figueroa Laso de Vega. She came from important families, the House of Lasso de la Vega and the House of Figueroa. Her grandfather, Lorenzo I Suárez de Figueroa, had also been a Grand Master of the Order of Santiago.
Rodrigo and Mencía had several children:
- Pedro Manrique de Lara y Figueroa: He inherited his father's titles and became the Second Count of Paredes de Nava. He was also a leading member of the Order of Santiago.
- Rodrigo Manrique de Lara y Figueroa: He held various important positions, including Commander of Yeste and Ambassador to Portugal.
- Diego Manrique de Lara y Figueroa: He died when he was young.
- Jorge Manrique de Lara y Figueroa: He was a famous poet and a leading member of the Order of Santiago. He wrote a well-known poem about his father.
- Fadrique Manrique de Lara y Figueroa: He was a Captain in the Guardia de Castilla.
- Leonor Manrique de Lara y Figueroa: She was the Lady of San Román.
- Elvira Manrique de Lara y Figueroa: She was the Lady of Frómista.
Death and Lasting Impact
Rodrigo Manrique died on November 11, 1476, in Ocaña, Spain.
His tombstone has a famous saying: "Here lies a man, who left his name alive." In Spanish, it reads:
Aquí yace un hombre / que vivo dejó su nombre
Besides his own important place in history, Rodrigo Manrique is remembered because of the poem written by his son, Jorge Manrique de Lara. This poem, called "Coplas por la muerte de su padre" (Stanzas on the Death of His Father), is about Rodrigo.
In the 18th century, the title of Count of Paredes de Nava joined with other titles under the House of Manrique de Lara. These included the Duke of Nájera and the Marquis of Aguilar de Campóo.
See also
In Spanish: Rodrigo Manrique para niños
- Order of Santiago
- List of Grand Masters of the Order of Santiago
- House of Lara
- House of Manrique de Lara
- House of Figueroa
| Preceded by Juan Pacheco |
Grand Master of the Order of Santiago 1474–1476 |
Succeeded by Ferdinand II of Aragon |
