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During die reign of Philip III, die Duke of Lerma enjoyed die great support of the Counts of Lemos. His sister and his daughter were VI and VII countesses. They were considered important in Italy, the Americas, and Royal Households, and they were very fond of the arts and letters. The VI countess had a practical sense of collecting; mean¬while, the VII count was more intellectual and owned the best classics in his library. As withthe classical otium, culture could be cultivated during moments of negotium as well. Culture was important in politics and was useful in building an image or spreading ideas about the family and government. But die VII Count of Lemos read Cervantes and gave him protection and honors similar to those extended by the King to nobles at court. Both shared an interest in literature during a historical period in which the chilvalric novels were being transformed into entertainment literature even within in the libraries of the Spanish nobility.
