Diego Sarmiento de Acuña, 1st Count of Gondomar
Diego Sarmiento de Acuña | |
|---|---|
Copy of portrait by José María Galván y Candela | |
| Ambassador of Spain to England | |
| In office 1613–1618 | |
| Monarch | Philip III of Spain |
| Preceded by | Pedro de Zúñiga y de la Cueva |
| In office 1620–1622 | |
| Monarch | Philip IV of Spain |
| Succeeded by | Juan de Mendoza y Velasco |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Diego de Sarmiento Acuña November 1, 1567 Astorga, Castile |
| Died | October 2, 1626 (aged 58) Casalarreina, Castile |
| Spouse | Constanza de Acuña |
| Parent | García Sarmiento de Sotomayor |
| Profession | Diplomat, governor, commander, soldier |
Diego Sarmiento de Acuña, 1st Count of Gondomar (November 1, 1567 – October 2, 1626), referred to simply as Count Gondomar, was a Spanish nobleman and diplomat. He twice served as Spain's ambassador to England and later held an informal but influential role as Spain's leading expert on English affairs, a position he maintained until his death.
In England, Gondomar was widely regarded as the leader of a Spanish faction at the English court, a confidant privy to the inner thoughts of King James I, and working to advance the Papist cause.