Francisco de Zúñiga y Sotomayor

Francisco de Zúñiga y Sotomayor (1523-1591) belonged to the House of Zúñiga. A Grandee of Spain, he inherited the title of IV Duke of Béjar. He married Guiomar de Mendoza y Aragón, the daughter of the fourth Duke of Infantado, Don Iñigo López de Mendoza. He distinguished himself for his loyalty and service to the monarch Philip II, for whom he undertook various feats. Initially he went to Milan to defuse the tense relationship between Spanish power and the Cardinal and Archbishop of Milan, Carlo Borromeo. He was later placed at the head of the Spanish militia in defense of the Portuguese Algarve from British attacks. Together with his wife he rebuilt the castle of Béjar and ordered the construction of the palace and gardens of El Bosque.