Cristóvão de Moura, 1st Marquis of Castelo Rodrigo

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Cristóvão de Moura, 1st Marquis of Castelo Rodrigo (1538–1613), was a Portuguese nobleman who led the Spanish party during Portugal’s 1580 succession crisis. Born in Lisbon, he moved to Spain in 1554 and became a trusted diplomat for King Philip II of Spain, helping to win support for the Spanish king among Portuguese nobles and fueling the rivalry between the Prior of Crato and the Duke of Braganza. After Philip II became king of Portugal, Moura joined the royal Council, served as Comptroller of the Exchequer, and in 1594 was made the 1st Count of Castelo Rodrigo. Philip III elevated him to the title of Marquis of Castelo Rodrigo in 1600 and appointed him Viceroy of Portugal, a role he held in three separate terms: 1600–1603, 1603, and 1608–1612. His rule was often unpopular in Portugal, in part because of high taxes. In 1581 he married Margarida Corte-Real, heiress of Angra in the Azores; their descendants later adopted the Corte-Real surname, and the couple built the Corte Real palace in Lisbon. Moura died in Madrid in 1613 at about 75 years old.