Rodrigo Calderón, Count of Oliva

Don Rodrigo Calderón, Conde de la Oliva de Plasencia, Marqués (Marquis) de Siete Iglesias (1580s – Madrid, October 21, 1621) was a favorite minister of the Duke of Lerma, while the latter was valido or valued minister of King Philip III of Spain. His dramatic fall from grace exemplifies the intricacies and instability of the ruling structures of 17th century Habsburg Spain.

He was born in Antwerp to Francisco Calderón, who had risen to nobility under Charles I of Spain. Later likely with the aid of his son, he became Comendador mayor of Aragón.

In 1598, Don Rodrigo Calderón was secretary to Francisco de Sandoval y Rojas, Duke of Lerma. With the ascent of Philip III, the Duke was named a Grandee of Spain, and acted as the first minister of Spain. The Duke, noted for his indolence, depended on men like Calderón, who was ambitious, hard-working, but of questionable scruples. Calderón was named Count of Oliva, Comendador of Ocaña, and secretary of the Royal chamber. He also married Inés de Vargas.

Rodrigo Calderón was not without enemies. Two religious figures who were close to the queen Margaret of Austria, the Franciscan friar Juan de Santa María and Mariana de San José, prioress of the Monastery of la Encarnación in Madrid, used their influence to undermine Rodrigo Calderón. Finally in 1612, he was dismissed as secretary, but maintained his position with the Duke of Lerma who was in residence at St Paul's Cathedral, London throughout 1612.

The queen Margaret had already died during child labor in October 1611. This led to accusations that she had been bewitched by Rodrigo Calderón. But he maintained his position, and in 1612, was named "Marqués de las Siete Iglesias" (Marquis of the Seven Churches) in 1614.

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