First-born and second-born: Matrimonial strategies of women Iinked to the House of Arcos (1621-1650)

In the Modern Era, marriage was a promotion mechanism used by noble families. It was a strategy aimed at reinforcing or improving the relatives of the lineage. However, despite the importance of the eldest male's marriage, the fate of younger children was the subject of the same concern on the part of the households. This is demonstrated by the marriages of four women linked to the house of Arcos, who despite not being in line to succeed, made a decisíve contribution to the progress of their ancestry. In short, they were women at the service of their líneage who fully met the expectations of their families.