Una rete di corruzione tra Spagna e Italia. I processi agli ufficiali di Pedro Franqueza (1609-1611)

The trials of Alonso Ramírez de Prado and Pedro Franqueza were the first real attack against the power of the Duke of Lerma and represented a crucial moment in the twenty years of government by the favourite of Philip III. Linked to the main defendants, other people had to testify before the judges about their actions and relationship with key members of the ruling faction at court. In addition to family members and clients of the two secretaries, six officials of the Secretary of State, who had closely worked with Franqueza in the previous years, were also involved in the inquiries. Through the analysis of both the charges made against them and the replies submitted by the defense lawyers, a network of corruption emerges, linking the court to several main cities in the Mediterranean, in particular Majorca, Palermo and Naples. These trials are therefore further evidence of Lerma’s sheer power and of his ability to exert influence over the ruling classes of the various dominions of the Spanish Habsburgs.