«true descendant of my ancient lords». the lordship of biscay and the haro family members in the 17th century: searching for a patronage

During the Modern Age, the institutions of the Lordship of Biscay knew that the most important resolutions concerning the province were taken in the court, next to the king. Thus, it was important to have auspicious people there. In the 17th Century, the age of the favourites, the direct access to them and their relatives would provide certain degree of assurance in Biscay’s victory. For that reason the institutions of the Lordship tried to approach the inner circle of the favourites and, with the rise of Luis Méndez de Haro, they addressed him directly, basing on his condition of descendant of the ancient lords of Biscay.