Diego Sarmiento de Acuna conde de Gondomar

Gondomar, Diego Sarmiento de Acuña, Conde de (1567–1626) Spanish diplomat. He achieved notoriety as ambassador to England (1613–18; 1620–22), when he made himself one of the most influential members of JAMES I's court, much to the chagrin of zealous English Protestants. He was largely responsible for the execution of Sir Walter RALEIGH, and he tried to interest the king in a royal Spanish wife for the Prince of Wales. When his unpopularity in England reached its peak in 1622, he was recalled to Spain.

Diego Sarmiento de Acuña Gondomar, conde de , 1567?-1626, Spanish ambassador to England (1613-18, 1620-22). He gained great influence over James I and dissuaded him from giving real assistance to James's son-in-law, Frederick the Winter King , at the outset of the Thirty Years War . He also demanded the execution (1618) of Sir Walter Raleigh . Gondomar was highly unpopular in England and was attacked in Thomas Middleton 's play A Game at Chess.