Os marqueses de Castelo Rodrigo e a Nobreza portuguesa na monarquia hispânica: estratégias de legitimação, redes familiares e interesses políticos entre a agregação e a restauração (1581-1651)

The aim of this article is to sketch the political career of the Marquises of Castelo Rodrigo at the service of the Spanish Habsburg, especially in the government of Portugal. The House of Castelo Rodrigo emerged with the genesis of the Philip´s Portugal and became the leader of the new Philippine nobility. It was created by D. Cristóvão de Moura, the main favorite of King Philip II and the councilor who had represented the Spanish interests as his main ambassador during the process of the incorporation of Portugal to the Spanish Monarchy in 1580. Throughout two generations, the Castelo Rodrigo defended, not without of difficulties, the title of the Catholic King´s alter ego in the Habsburg´s Portugal.