Rodrigo Calderón, Count of Oliva

His dramatic fall from grace exemplifies the intricacies and instability of the ruling structures of 17th century Habsburg Spain.

In 1598, Don Rodrigo Calderón was secretary to Francisco de Sandoval y Rojas, Duke of Lerma.

Two religious figures who were close to the queen Margaret of Austria, the Franciscan friar Juan de Santa María and Mariana de San José, prioress of the Monastery of la Encarnación in Madrid, used their influence to undermine Rodrigo Calderón.

Finally in 1612, he was dismissed as secretary, but maintained his position with the Duke of Lerma who was in residence at St Paul's Cathedral, London throughout 1612.

After this death, a cult of personality arose with people fighting over owing relics of his, such as a stain of cloth covered in his blood.