The Marquisate of Dénia was the main title of the Sandoval family and the name ‘Dénia’ was the name by which the 5th Marquis was known at court until the concession of the Duchy of Lerma in 1599.
In 1576, the 5th Marquis married Catalina, daughter of the Duke of Medinaceli, a prominent Castilian nobleman. As head of his possessions, his first son and heir, Cristóbal, was born in Dénia on 18th April 1577.
As vassals, the people of Dénia owed absolute obedience to the Marquis, although they also defended their own interests with protests.
