Fernando Alvarez de Toledo, Duke of Alba, whose biography tells many interesting facts about his life and work, was born in 1507.It was a well-known Spanish general and popular statesman.Because of his cruelty was nicknamed "Iron Duke".
childhood and youth of the future Duke of bloody
Fernando de Toledo was born on October 29, 1508 in one of the oldest and most respected noble families of Spain.His father died when Alvarez de Toledo was still young age, then his upbringing was engaged in a strict grandfather.He made every effort to grow from a boy's ardent Catholic faithful servant of the king, and disciplined soldier.At the age of sixteen years, the Duke of Alba has served as an officer in the campaigns of Emperor Charles V against the French.
Since 1531 Fernando has played a leading role in operations against the Turks.Moreover, he was promoted to general after two years and distinguished himself during the siege of Tunisia in 1535.After defending Perpignan from French attack in 1542-meters, he was appointed military adviser to Charles the Fifth under his successor Philip.
most famous battles of the date
Duke of Alba commanded the cavalry, which largely contributed to the Imperial victory at Mühlberg in 1547.And after five years, Fernando Alvarez took over the overall command of the Spanish forces in Italy.However, Duke could not prevent the defeat of the imperial forces, as a consequence, this led to the abdication of the emperor in 1556.
Philip II, became King of Spain, Fernando de Toledo appointed governor of Milan, as well as the commander of the military forces of Italy.There the Duke of Alba is fighting a war against the Pope Paul the Fourth Army, which was an ally of the French, at the head of twelve thousand Spanish soldiers.While avoiding a direct attack on Rome that there is no repetition of 1527.
Pope trick or complete victory of Fernando
Dad pretended opponents calls for a truce, hoping that this time will catch up with the French troops, but the Spaniards seized them and defeated at the Battle of San Quentin.And without the support of the expected armies papal troops were defeated.Fernando Alvarez made the Pope take over the world in 1557, which provided the Spanish domination in Italy for more than a hundred years.
In the same year between the monarchs of Spain and France in the town of Kato Kambrezi armistice was concluded.While this agreement lasted, the Italian peninsula was in a prolonged rest.And the next significant stage in the biography of the famous Fernando - a campaign of the Duke of Alba in 1567 and its continued rule in the Netherlands, which has left a deep mark in history because of the cruel and bloody events.
bloody deeds of the famous Duke
In August 1566 the Netherlands was the iconoclastic uprising, during which was looted or even destroyed not only the number of monasteries and churches, as well as the Catholic statue.To solve the problems of civil and religious issues King Philip II sent Fernando led a select army in the Netherlands.There the Duke of Alba, whose biography expands on this period, left a most bloody memories.
Fernando entered the territory of Brussels, August 22, 1567 and took the post of Governor-General.And a few days later he founded the "Council of Blood" to suppress heresy and rebellion.The Council is working with the harsh austerity.Even two of the most important and famous nobles of the country, graphs, chapters of the Flemish nobility, Egmont and Horn, arrested and prosecuted.Subsequently, they were executed.
new tax system
executions also were subjected to more than one thousand men of all ranks, and many fled abroad for security reasons.All those convicted, executed June 5th, 1568 at the Town Hall Square in Brussels.The Duke of Alba with a tough character, he was not sure in the Flemish justice.He saw it as a sympathy for the defendants.So Fernando Alvarez preferred penalty when numerous witnesses.
Content troops in Flanders resulted in significant economic costs.And the bloody Duke Alba decided to introduce a new form of taxation in the Benelux countries, based mainly on the Spanish tax system at a rate of ten percent on each transfer of goods.Many of the province at that time, bought his way on the lump sum, in connection with the beginning of a deep concern that the prosperity of the Benelux countries is undermined.
refusal to pay taxes, or rebel uprising
Some residents refuse to pay the "tithe" as dubbed this tax, and started a riot quickly spread throughout the Netherlands.The Prince of Orange, known as William the Silent addressed to the French Huguenots, so that they provide the necessary support, and began to support the rebels.He, along with troops from France I took a lot of areas.
A siege of Haarlem is characterized by violent actions of both sides.She graduated from the surrender of the city and the loss of about two thousand people.Due to prolonged military campaigns and brutal repression of rebel citizens who spent the Duke of Alba, the Netherlands secured him the nickname "Iron Duke".
His reputation has been used to promote among the rebels and to further impact on the anti-Spanish sentiment.Fernando remained popular in the Spanish army, which he did not hesitate a single minute, always able to correctly guess the mood of the people.
return to Spain, or the last years of his life
Despite the ongoing hostilities, the situation in the Netherlands is not in favor of Spain.After numerous repression, which lasted for five years, about five thousand executions and constant complaints Philip II decided to ease the situation by allowing Fernando de Toledo, to return to Spain.
Duke sailed from Holland, still torn by revolts, December 18, 1573.On his return to Spain, Fernando was in favor with the king.However, seven years later, Philip II ordered the conquest of Portugal to him.
Fernando Alvarez married in 1527 his cousin Maria Henrique de Toledo.From this marriage he left four heirs: Garcia, Fadrique Diego and Beatriz.There is also documentary evidence that his first child was born out of wedlock, who was born from the miller's daughter.
Duke of Alba, a photo of which, of course, little known to the ordinary person, but anyone familiar historians studying the biographies of prominent personalities, died in Lisbon on 11 December 1582.The remains of Fernando moved to Alba de Tormes, and was buried in the monastery of San Leonardo.
