D. António Luís de Meneses, born in Cantanhede, was the 1st Marquês of Marialva, a title that he received from King Afonso VI, in recognition of his courage at the command of the Portguese troups in the battles of "Linhas de Elvas" and "Montes Claros" - the most important during the Restoration War (1640 - 1668), when Portugal definitly regained its independence, after 60 years of dominance from the Spanish Kingdom. We can say that thanks to him, Portugal is an independent nation!