Ambrogio Spinola, 1st Marquess of Los Balbases facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Most Excellent
The Marquess of Balbases
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Portrait of Ambrogio Spinola by Michiel van Mierevelt.
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| Governor of the Duchy of Milan | |
| In office 1629–1630 |
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| Monarch | Philip IV of Spain |
| Preceded by | Gonzalo Fernandez de Córdoba |
| Succeeded by | Álvaro de Bazán |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1569 Genoa, Republic of Genoa |
| Died | 25 September 1630 (aged 60–61) Castelnuovo Scrivia, Duchy of Mantua |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Spain |
| Rank | Captain-General |
| Commands | Captain-General of the Army of Flanders |
| Battles/wars | |
Ambrogio Spinola Doria, 1st Marquess of Los Balbases (born in Genoa, 1569 – died in Castelnuovo Scrivia, September 25, 1630) was an important Italian military leader. He came from a noble family in the Republic of Genoa. Spinola became a general for Spain and won many key battles.
People who speak Spanish often call him "Ambrosio." He is known as one of the greatest military commanders of his time. His amazing success in battles earned him the title of Marquess of Los Balbases. This was a high honor in the Spanish peerage. He also received special awards like the Order of the Golden Fleece and the Order of Santiago.
Contents
Ambrogio Spinola: A Military Genius
Ambrogio Spinola was a very skilled military leader. He was known for his smart strategies and his ability to win tough battles. His career mostly involved leading Spanish armies. He played a big part in several major wars in Europe.
Early Life and Joining the Army
Ambrogio Spinola was born into a rich and powerful family. His family was from Genoa, a city in Italy. He decided to become a soldier, even though he was a nobleman. In 1602, he joined the Spanish army. He quickly showed he was a natural leader.
Fighting in the Eighty Years' War
One of the main conflicts Spinola fought in was the Eighty Years' War. This was a long war between Spain and the Dutch Republic. The Dutch were fighting for their independence from Spanish rule. Spinola became famous for his actions in this war.
The Long Siege of Ostend
One of his first big challenges was the Siege of Ostend. This siege lasted for over three years (1601-1604). It was one of the longest and bloodiest sieges in history. Spinola took command of the Spanish forces in 1603. He finally captured the city in 1604. This victory showed his amazing determination.
Other Important Sieges
After Ostend, Spinola continued to lead Spanish forces. He captured several other cities. These included Sluis (1604), Lingen (1605), and Groenlo (1606). He was very good at planning and carrying out sieges. A siege is when an army surrounds a city to cut off supplies. They try to force the people inside to surrender.
The Famous Siege of Breda
One of Spinola's most famous victories was the Siege of Breda. This happened in 1624. Breda was a very strong Dutch city. Spinola's army surrounded it for many months. He used clever tactics to cut off the city's supplies. The Dutch finally surrendered in 1625. This victory was a huge success for Spain. It was even painted by the famous artist Diego Velázquez.
The Thirty Years' War
Spinola also fought in the Thirty Years' War. This was a big war that involved many European countries. He led Spanish forces in the Palatinate campaign. This campaign was in a region of Germany called the Palatinate. He helped capture important places like Oppenheim and Jülich. His skills helped Spain gain control in these areas.
Governor of Milan
Later in his life, Spinola became the Governor of the Duchy of Milan. This was an important area controlled by Spain in Italy. He served in this role from 1629 until his death in 1630. He died while still serving Spain.
A Legacy of Military Success
Ambrogio Spinola is remembered as one of the greatest military leaders of his time. He was known for his bravery and his smart strategies. He helped Spain achieve many important victories. His leadership had a big impact on European history.
Images for kids
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Portrait of Ambrogio Spinola by Anthony van Dyck
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The Siege of Breda.
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The conquests of Spinola (Crispijn van der Passe).
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The Surrender of Jülich, painted in 1635 by Jusepe Leonardo, Museum of Prado.
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The Surrender of Breda by Velázquez, painted by order of King Philip IV of Spain, 1635, five years after the loyal Ambrosio Spínola died as Governor of Milan. Spinola magnanimously raises the surrendering governor of Breda. Museum of Prado, Madrid, Spain.
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See Also
In Spanish: Ambrosio Spínola para niños
