ALVARES DE LUNA, treasurer and favourite of John II., king of Castile, celebrated for the powerful ascendancy which he gained over this prince. He was a natural son of Don Alvaro de Luna, lord of Cañete in Aragon, and of a woman of infamous character. He was born in 1388, and named Peter; but Pope Benedict XIII. who was charmed with his wit though yet a child, changed Peter to Alvares. He was introduced to court in 1408, and made a gentleman of the bed-chamber to King John, in whose service he acquired the most distinguished favour. In 1427 the hostility of the courtiers occasioned his banishment from court for a year and a half. His absence was a source of the utmost affliction to the king, who could now speak or think of nothing but Alvares. He was therefore recalled; and being invested with his former authority, he revenged himself severely upon his enemies, by persuading the king to banish them. He spent 45 years at court, and during 30 of them maintained such an ascendancy over the king, that nothing could be done without his concurrence: nay, it is related by Mariana, that the king could not change an officer or servant, or even his clothes or diet, without the approbation of Alvares. He was master of the treasury, and had so gained the affections of the subjects by his profusion, that the king, though his eyes were now opened, and his favour withdrawn, was afraid to complain. A day of retribution however was at hand; the popular favour, as well as the affections of the monarch, declined, and Alvares was thrown into prison. Being brought to trial and condemned, he was removed to Valladolid, and there beheaded in the marketplace. He met his fate with the utmost intrepidity.