Francisco Gómez de Sandoval y Rojas

Don Francisco Gómez de Sandoval y Rojas, Duke of Lerma (Seville, 1552/1553 — Valladolid, 1625), the favorite of Philip III of Spain and minister, is the first of the validos ('most worthy') through whom the later Spanish Habsburg monarchs rule.

After his fall from grace in 1618 he is succeeded by Gaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of Olivares.