Alexander Farnese was an Italian noble and military leader, who was Duke of Parma, Piacenza and Castro from 1586 to 1592, as well as Governor of the Spanish Netherlands from 1578 to 1592. Nephew to Ki
Portrait of the Prince when he was 15 by Sofonisba Anguissola, 1560
The Siege of Maastricht in 1579
Parma's bridge-of-boats over the Scheldt in 1585.
Alexander Farnese was made responsible for the failure of the Armada which marked the beginning of the end of his brilliant career.
Ranuccio I Farnese
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Ranuccio I Farnese reigned as Duke of Parma, Piacenza and Castro from 1592. A firm believer in absolute monarchy, Ranuccio, in 1594, centralised the administration of Parma and Piacenza, thus rescindi
Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma
…Before he could even consider another expedition to aid the League, he needed to resume his treatments at Spa whence he arrived on 1 August with his son Ranuccio. In mid-November, Alexander drafted instructions for the interim Governor-General, Mansfeld again, in addition to putting measures in place for the…
Portrait by Cesare Aretusi