Medieval Room
In this room, the principal historical figures who inhabited this castle and have a significant connection to it are represented.

Don Ruy López Dávalos
We have already talked about him in the first audio of this castle. He was born in Úbeda, Jaén, in the year 1357, into a family of hidalgo origin that had emigrated from Navarra in the 13th century. He received the education appropriate for the "fronteros," who were responsible for repelling Granada's aggressions and also conducting some raids into the Nasrid kingdom.
Due to his actions in battle, he gained the trust of King Juan I, who appointed him as the chief chamberlain of the Prince of Asturias. He retained this position when the prince became King Enrique III. Dávalos became one of the most influential figures in the Royal Council, participating in numerous political decisions and military operations, to the extent that he was granted the title of Condestable, one of the highest honors of the time, previously reserved for the high nobility. Along with the title of Condestable of Castile, he was granted numerous lordships that brought him great wealth. Among them was the lordship of Arenas, where he ordered the construction of this palatial-style castle to reflect his position.

Dávalos' life was a constant mix of military struggles and conquests, intertwined with the intrigues of the Castilian court. Towards the end of his days, after the death of Enrique III and his brother Fernando, who had acted as regent for the heir, Juan II, Fernando's sons, Juan and Enrique, disregarded Dávalos' advice to remain united and vied for the regency. Dávalos sided with Enrique, who kidnapped King Juan II to keep him under his dominion and influence.
Ultimately, it was Juan, aided by Don Álvaro de Luna, who freed the king and punished those who had held him captive. Don Álvaro acquired a significant portion of Dávalos' fortune, including the title of Condestable of Castile. Dávalos, stripped of his wealth, died in exile in Valencia under the protection of King Alfonso V of Aragon.

Medieval Room: Don Ruy López Dávalos