Fadrique Álvarez de Toledo, 4th Duke of Alba
Encyclopedia
Fadrique Álvarez de Toledo y Enríquez de Guzmán, 4th Duke of Alba, Grandee of Spain, (in full), (21 November 1537 – 11 December, 1583), was a commander in the Spanish army during the Eighty Years' War.
He was the second son of Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, 3rd Duke of Alba
, and he became the fourth Duke after his father's death. His titles included Duke of Huéscar, Marquis of Coria
and Comendador Mayor in the Order of Calatrava
.
Don Fadrique, was commander of the Spanish troops during the most bloody phase of the war in the Netherlands. He was in charge during the slaughtering in Mechelen
, Zutphen and Naarden, as well as during the Siege of Haarlem
.
His army failed in the siege of Alkmaar
, and he had to retreat. His father the Duke did not approve of that—he was afraid of his son's reputation that was already not good with Philip II of Spain
, their King.
Don Fadrique's health deteriorated after 1573. He was Duke between December 11, 1582 and December 11, 1583.
He was the second son of Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, 3rd Duke of Alba
Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, 3rd Duke of Alba
Don Fernando Álvarez de Toledo y Pimentel, 3rd Duke of Alba was a Spanish general and governor of the Spanish Netherlands , nicknamed "the Iron Duke" in the Low Countries because of his harsh and cruel rule there and his role in the execution of his political opponents and the massacre of several...
, and he became the fourth Duke after his father's death. His titles included Duke of Huéscar, Marquis of Coria
Coria
Coria may refer to:People* Rodolfo Coria, Argentine paleontologist* Guillermo Coria, Argentine tennis playerPlacesCoria is a Brythonic equivalent of the Latin Curia and may be used as a place-name in Roman Britain and elsewhere:...
and Comendador Mayor in the Order of Calatrava
Order of Calatrava
The Order of Calatrava was the first military order founded in Castile, but the second to receive papal approval. The papal bull confirming the Order of Calatrava as a Militia was given by Pope Alexander III on September 26, 1164.-Origins and Foundation:...
.
Don Fadrique, was commander of the Spanish troops during the most bloody phase of the war in the Netherlands. He was in charge during the slaughtering in Mechelen
Mechelen
Mechelen Footnote: Mechelen became known in English as 'Mechlin' from which the adjective 'Mechlinian' is derived...
, Zutphen and Naarden, as well as during the Siege of Haarlem
Siege of Haarlem
The siege of Haarlem was an episode of the Eighty Years' War. From December 11, 1572 to July 13, 1573 an army of Philip II of Spain laid bloody siege to the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands, whose loyalties had begun wavering during the previous summer...
.
His army failed in the siege of Alkmaar
Alkmaar
Alkmaar is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands, in the province of Noord Holland. Alkmaar is well known for its traditional cheese market. For tourists, it is a popular cultural destination.-History:...
, and he had to retreat. His father the Duke did not approve of that—he was afraid of his son's reputation that was already not good with Philip II of Spain
Philip II of Spain
Philip II was King of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily, and, while married to Mary I, King of England and Ireland. He was lord of the Seventeen Provinces from 1556 until 1581, holding various titles for the individual territories such as duke or count....
, their King.
Don Fadrique's health deteriorated after 1573. He was Duke between December 11, 1582 and December 11, 1583.