Juan Alfonso Enríquez de Cabrera

Who was Juan Alfonso Enríquez de Cabrera?

Juan Alfonso Enríquez de Cabrera y Colonna, was hereditary 9th Admiral of Castile, 5th Duke of Medina de Rioseco and the 8th Count of Melgar

Juan Alfonso received his titles at the age of 3, when his father Luis III Enriquez de Cabrera died, under regency of his mother Italian Lady Vitoria Colonna.

His mother, from Venezian and Roman families, was the daughter of Marcantonio II Colonna, – married, Rome, Italy, 29 April 1552 – Medinaceli, Spain, poisoned?, 1 August 1585, 3rd duke of Paliano, 1st duke of Tagliacozzo, count of Ceccano, lieutenant of the kingdom of Naples, Viceroy of Sicily, Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece and Felice Orsini, deceased Rome, Italy 27 July 1596, the daughter of Girolamo Orsini, Sieur of Bracciano and Francesca Sforza, of the Counts of santa Fiora.

She had married Luis III Enriquez de Cabrera in Vich, Catalonia, Spain, on 31 December 1587.

In 1638, he lifted the Siege of Fuenterrabía by defeating a superior French army under Henri, Prince of Condé.

For this, he was rewarded and became Viceroy of Sicily, 1641–1644, Viceroy of Naples, 6 May 1644 – 1646, Member of the Spanish Council of war, member of the Royal Council of Spain, and Mayordomo mayor to the King.