Famous Spanish Noblemen

Antipope Benedict XIII, or Pope Luna, initially served as a university professor of canon law and later became a cardinal. He was made the pope after Clement VII’s death, on the grounds that he would resign to end the Western Schism later, but he didn’t and was thus deposed.

Prince Carlos of Bourbon-Two Sicilies was nephew of Francis II, the last King of the Two Sicilies. Carlos was given the title of Infante of Spain before his marriage to Mercedes, Princess of Asturias, daughter of the late King Alfonso XII of Spain. Carlos served the Spanish Army during the Spanish–American War and was later promoted as Inspector General.  

Infante of Spain, Duke of Galliera Alfonso de Orleans y Borbón, first cousin of King of Spain Alfonso XIII, was counted among the first and most prominent aviators in the Spanish military. He served important positions and eventually became Brigadier General. He also unofficially represented Count of Barcelona, the son and heir of Alfonso XIII, in Spain, for several years.

Alonso de Ercilla had penned the most popular Castilian Renaissance epic poem ever, La Araucana. He claimed to have fought as a soldier in Chile, against the Araucanians, where he is said to have begun writing his epic. The poem also showed his skills in the complex octava real stanza.

Luis Méndez de Haro began his political career under the guidance of his uncle, Gaspar de Guzmán, who was the chief minister of King Philip IV and whom he succeeded. He also struck a peace deal, putting an end to a long war with France, with the Peace of the Pyrenees.