Isidoro de la Cueva y Benavides facts for kids
Don Isidoro de la Cueva y Benavides (born May 23, 1652, in Madrid, Spain – died June 2, 1723, in Madrid) was an important Spanish noble, soldier, and politician. He was the Marquis of Bedmar. He served as the acting Governor of the Spanish Netherlands from 1701 to 1704. He was also the Viceroy of Sicily from 1705 to 1707. Later, he became Spain's Minister of War in 1709.
A Life in Service
Isidoro was the youngest son of Gaspar de la Cueva y Mendoza, who was the third Marquis of Bedmar. He became the fifth Marquis of Bedmar after his older brother Melchior passed away in 1667.
Isidoro chose a career in the military. He served in different places like Milan, the Low Countries, and Spain. In the Low Countries, he was a captain general in charge of artillery.
Fighting in Wars
When the Nine Years' War began, Isidoro returned to the Low Countries. He became a General in the Flanders army. He led his troops in important battles. These included the Battle of Fleurus (1690) and the Battle of Neerwinden (1693). After the war ended in 1697, Isidoro was made the top commander in the Spanish Netherlands.
In 1701, the War of the Spanish Succession started. The Governor of the Spanish Netherlands, Maximilian II Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria, left to fight in Germany. He chose Isidoro to be the acting Governor. Isidoro was told to make the defenses stronger against the Dutch, English, and Austrians.
He created a defense line called the Bedmar Line. This included building Fort Bedmar at De Klinge. He could not stop Menno van Coehoorn from taking the fortress of Saint Donas in 1702. In August 1702, he also failed to conquer Hulst. However, in 1703, he won the Battle of Ekeren against the Dutch.
Later Career
Isidoro's health was not good. In February 1705, he left the Southern Netherlands and went to Versailles. There, he received the Order of the Holy Spirit, a special honor. He then became the Viceroy of Sicily from 1705 until 1707. After returning to Spain, King Philip V made him the Minister of War in 1709. He was also named Captain General of the Ocean.
Sources
- Spanish Succession
- Real Academia de la Historia
- Geni
See also
In Spanish: Isidoro de la Cueva y Benavides para niños
