Rodrigo Manrique de Lara
Rodrigo Manrique de Lara (1406 – November 11, 1476, Ocaña, Spain) was a rebellious Spanish noble who gained notoriety for his prowess in the Reconquista battles against the Muslim invaders. He sided with the Infantes of Aragon during their war against John II of Castile and Álvaro de Luna. He held the title of the first Count of Paredes de Nava and was the Grand Master of the Order of Santiago for the Kingdom of Castile. Family Origins Rodrigo was the son of Pedro Manrique de Lara y Mendoza, VIII Señor of Amusco and Treviño and Adelantado Mayor of Castile, and his wife, Leonor de Castilla y Alburquerque. His brother was Gómez Manrique, the poet and playwright. The Manrique line of the House of Lara, also known as the House of Manrique de Lara constituted one of the most powerful noble families in Medieval Spain, holding amongst their titles the Dukedom of Nájera and the Marquesado de Aguilar de Campoo. In 1520, when Charles I of Spain first recognized the original 25 Grandes de Espana, their house was amply represented amongst the list. Biography Rodrigo spent the bulk of his life in conflict with his arch enemy, Álvaro de Luna,