From knights to courtesans: transition of the Zúñiga bloodline up to the first marquis of Villamanrique

Abstract

Álvaro Manrique de Zúñiga, first Marquis of Villamanrique, was proclaimed viceroy of Nueva España in 1585, as a reward for his loyalty to the king. During the Modern Age, memorials and lists of merits and services to the Crown were often forwarded to the king to gain his favor. But these reports also included information about their ancestors. Therefore, this paper will analyze the Zúñiga bloodline, and the transition of their members from knights to courtesans.