Background
Rui Gomes da Silva was born in Chamusca, Portugal and was the second son of Dom Francisco da Silva, Lord of Ulme and Chamusca. In 1527, when Philip II of Spain was born, Rui became his page.
Rui Gomes da Silva was born in Chamusca, Portugal and was the second son of Dom Francisco da Silva, Lord of Ulme and Chamusca. In 1527, when Philip II of Spain was born, Rui became his page.
He remained in Spain living within Isabel"s entourage. An enormous friendship linked the two boys during their entire lives. When Philip inherited the Spanish throne in 1556, as Philip II, Rui, who had been close to one of the more influential ministers, received several honors, among them, prince of Éboli and Sumiller de Corps to the King.
As a minister of Philip II, Rui Gomes da Silva had a remarkable importance within the Spanish politics, and Philip II granted him the highest nobility title, Grandee of Spain.
Due to his influence in the Spanish Court, Rui was known among foreign ambassadors as "Rey Gomes II " (King Gomes), instead of his Hispanicized name "Ruy Gomes". In the Kingdom of Portugal, Rui Gomes da Silva was styled as: Rui Gomes da Silva, Lord of Ulme and of Chamusca In the Crown of Castile, Rui Gomes da Silva was styled as: Ruy Gómez de Silva, Prince of Éboli, Duke of Pastrana, Duke of Estremera, Count of Melito.
His biggest political adversary was Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, 3rd Duke of Alberta They had differing views concerning Spain"s government.
The Duke of Pastrana defended a much more federalist and compromise orientated system, while the Duke of Alba was for the centralization of the power within a unified and martial monarchy.