Alfonso Ceballos-Escalera y Gil
Alfonso de Ceballos-Escalera y Gila, Contreras-Girón y González de Navia, Marques of La Floresta, Duke of Ostuni in Naples and Lord of the Castle of Arbeteta. The Marques of La Floresta is more popularly known by his official designation as Cronista de Armas of Castile and Leon. Author of many books on jurispudence, royalty, nobility, heraldry and genealogy, the Spanish Cronista numbers among his credentials several doctoral degrees in the fields of law, the science of politics, and of history. He is also a Captain in the Spanish Armada and in the Merchant Marine Fleet. Among the decorations and honors bestowed upon the Cronista are several crosses and awards of various Orders of Chivalry including that of the Royal and Distinguished Order of Charles III of Spain.
Powers and Functions of the Cronista de Armas
As a Spanish Cronista, the heraldic office of Don Alfonso Ceballos-Escalera y Gila dates back to the 16th century. Like the rest of the Spanish Cronistas, he has judicial powers in matters of nobiliary titles. His office also serves as a registration office for pedigrees and grants of arms. At present, under the supervision of the Spanish Ministry of Justice the Cronistas grant arms to residents of areas currently or formerly under the government of the Spanish Crown.