Medieval Room: María de Luna y Pimentel

She was born in the year 1432, the daughter of Don Álvaro de Luna and Doña Juana de Pimentel. She married the 2nd Duke of the Infantado and Count of Saldaña, Íñigo López de Mendoza, in 1460, inside the very castle where we are located. This marriage is surrounded by a legend reminiscent of chivalric novels and romantic love.
According to legend, on a dark night in the spring of 1460, Íñigo López de Mendoza, the 2nd Duke of the Infantado, arrived in this town incognito with a single idea in mind. When he reached the walls of the castle, he didn't want to arouse suspicion from anyone who might see him entering. So, he decided to climb the castle walls by the part facing the river, which was the least guarded, following his guide, Martín de Herrada.
When he reached the military chapel of the castle, only three people were waiting for him: the chaplain, Doña Juana de Pimentel, and the woman who would become his wife from that night onward, Doña María de Luna. The marriage was blessed, and the newlyweds began their married life together.
After the marriage, which did not have the approval of King Enrique IV, who wanted to marry Doña María to his maestre Pacheco, Doña Juana informed Enrique, somewhat slyly:
"That her daughter had married the Count of Saldaña, was living as a married woman, and was pregnant. She believed that in this situation, Maestre López Pacheco would not want her for his son."
Their son, Diego Hurtado de Mendoza y Luna, known as "el grande" (the Great), the 3rd Duke of the Infantado, was born in this castle on March 11, 1461. Throughout his life, he was a great warrior, participating in the conquest of Granada, and was distinguished by King Charles I with the Order of the Golden Fleece.