"No permita Vuestra Majestad que yo reciba daño ni se haya de acabar en mí esta casa tan benemérita a su real corona". Anna Carafa y la búsqueda de un matrimonio provechoso (1624-1636)

The marriage of the heiress of the principality of Stigliano and the duchy of Sabbioneta, Anna Carafa, was, more than a family interest, a true reason of State. The strategic situation of the Lombard fief led Felipe IV to intervene in the negotiations for the election of a candidate to defend the interests of the Hispanic Monarchy, against those proposed by the Carafa's. In the midst of these discussions, the Count-Duke, main supporter of the Duke of Medina de las Torres to this moment, was reticent both in his election as spouse and in the granting of the Neapolitan viceroyalty, which calls into question the hitherto accepted hypothesis that it was the valid who motivated this union.