António Luís de Meneses, 1st Marquess of Marialva

Dom António Luís de Meneses, first Marquis of Marialva and third Count of Cantanhede (December 13 1603 - Cantanhede, May 19th 1675) was the most important Portuguese general in the Portuguese Restoration War. He was born in a noble family. His father was the second count of Cantanhede and his mother D. Constança de Gusmão.

Meneses was one of the key conspirators in the revolt against Spain on December 1st, 1640. He took actively part in the storming of the residence and the capture of the Duchess of Mantua, who governed Portugal in the name of Philip IV of Spain.

In 1641 he was assigned as "mestre-de-campo" , and he organised the defences against Spanish attacks. He participated in almost every battle of the Portuguese Restoration War between 1641 and 1665.

His greatest victories were the Battle of the Lines of Elvas in 1659 and the Battle of Montes Claros in 1665.

After the success in the first battle the Count of Cantanhede received among several honours, the title of Marquis of Marialva on June 11th, 1661.

He was present at the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon on February 13th, 1668.

His political career after the war was not as successful, and he died poor and forgotten in 1675. He was buried in the Convent of Santo António in Cantanhede.