The Great Favourite

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The biography explores the life and influence of Francisco Gómez de Sandoval, Duke of Lerma, who served as the favorite and first minister to Philip III during a tumultuous period in Spanish history. Williams challenges existing historical narratives, highlighting Lerma's remarkable rise from poverty to wealth, his significant role as a patron of the arts, and the controversies surrounding his governance. Despite his power, Lerma grappled with his moral standing and ultimately sought redemption through a cardinalate, transitioning from a political leader to a prince of the Church.