Spanish favourite (intimate companion) of Philip III of Spain, the first of the validos (‘most worthy’) through whom the later Habsburg monarchs ruled, 1st Duke of Lerma (1599), 1st Count of Ampudia (1602) and Cardinal (1618).
He was the most powerful man in the reign of Felipe III. He became immensely rich at the cost of knowing how to handle influence peddling, corruption and the sale of public office. To show his power as patron of the Ducal Villa of Lerma in Burgos, he used part of his fortune to enhance and beautify it by hiring the most outstanding architects and using the best materials. Most of its buildings were designed by its trusted architect, the Discalced Carmelite Fray Alberto de la Madre de Dios , to whom the collegiate church and convents of La Encarnación, San Blas, Santo Domingo and Santa Teresa are completion of the ducal palace, which Francisco de Mora had planned .
Due to his position as the king’s minister, he became the monarch’s closest and most trusted man, even getting him to transfer the Court from Madrid to Valladolid (1601). The duke carried out a masterful real estate operation six months before the move, buying properties and investing for his own benefit. Some of these properties, such as the one called Huerta de la Ribera, were sold years later to the king, a few months before the return of the court to Madrid. He also bought a palace from Francisco de los Cobos , a building that he also sold to the king the following year and which was converted into a royal palace.
The return of the court of Felipe III to Madrid in 1606 was also made by the influence and advice of the Duke of Lerma. Historians think that this return was prepared in advance and that the duke never intended to completely leave Madrid. It is known from the documents that are preserved that already in 1603 there were certain maneuvers and agreements between the mayor of Madrid and the Duke.
He died 17 May 1625 in Valladolid.
Link to Wikipedia biography