Don Rui Gomes da Silva, 1st Prince of Éboli and 1st Duke of Pastrana and Estremera, and iure uxoris Prince of Mélito, Duke of Francavilla and Count of Aliano[1] (27 October 1516 – 29 July 1573). He was a Portuguese noble and one of King Philip's main advisers. In Spain he is known as Ruy Gómez de Silva.
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Rui Gomes da Silva was the second son of Dom Francisco da Silva, Lord of Ulme and Chamusca. In March 1526, he escorted Infanta Isabel of Portugal to Seville where she married Charles I of Spain.
He remained in Spain living within Isabel's entourage. In 1527, when Philip II of Spain was born, Rui became his page. An enormous friendship linked the two boys during all their lives. In 1554 when his eldest brother John died, Rui inherited the lordship of Ulme and Chamusca.
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" (king Gomes), instead of his birth name "Ruy Gomes". His biggest political adversary was Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, 3rd Duke of Alba. They had differing views concerning Spain's government. The Duke of Pastrana defended a much more federalist and compromise system, while the Duke of Alba was for the centralization of the power within a unified and martial monarchy.
In 1553, Rui was promised in marriage, to 13 year old Ana de Mendoza, 2nd Princess of Mélito, daughter of Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, 1st Duke of Francavilla. The formal wedding promise took place on 13 June 1552.
They had ten children: