1.

This exhibition offers a glimpse into the lives of Alexander Farnese and Ambrogio Spinola, with a focus on their relationship with West Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. In preparation for deploying his invading army to England, Alexander Farnese conquers the harbour city of Sluis in 1587. When Maurice of Nassau besieges Sluis in 1604, Ambrogio Spinola undertakes an unsuccessful attempt to retain the city for the Spanish monarchy. Sluis, like IJzendijke and Aardenburg, switches to the control of the rebel army. One year later, both armies are once again facing each other at IJzendijke and Watervliet.

 

2.  Alexander Farnese

On August 27, 1545, Alexander Farnese is born in Rome. Father Ottavio is a grandson of Pope Paul III and mother Margaretha a natural daughter of Emperor Charles V. His early childhood is spent in Parma. To ensure the loyalty of the Farneses to the Spanish crown, Philip II brought Alexander to his court in Brussels in 1556. From 1559, he is educated in Spain together with Philip’s son Don Carlos and half-brother Don Juan. In 1565, Alexander marries the Portuguese princess Maria in Brussels, after which the couple settles in Parma.

 

From a young age, Alexander shows a remarkable interest in military affairs. In 1571, Philip II grants him the exceptional privilege to take part in the naval battle of Lepanto, where he quickly distinguishes himself through his fighting spirit and courage. Shortly after the death of Maria in 1577, Alexander leaves Parma and enters the service of his uncle and childhood friend Don Juan, who was then the governor-general of the Netherlands. In 1578, don Juan falls seriously ill and shortly before his death appoints Alexander as his successor.

 

3.

Alexander emerges as a brilliant general and a shrewd diplomat. At a rapid pace, he restores Spanish authority over most cities in the Southern Netherlands. The conquest of Antwerp in 1585 is considered his most important achievement. By means of a bridge of ships over the Scheldt, he forces the starving city to surrender. An exuberant Philip II appoints him as a Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece for this. His dream of conquering England grows into an obsession for Philip II. In the utmost secrecy, Spain is building a large fleet to support Alexander's invasion army in crossing from Flanders to England.

 

4.

After extensive study of the coastal area, Alexander decides to besiege Sluis in June 1587. The city is defended by the elite troops of Arnout van Groenevelt and an English contingent under the command of Roger Williams. On both sides, heroic fighting takes place, but due to the lack of assistance, Sluis must capitulate. On August 5, Alexander Farnese enters Sluis with his troops. The next day he writes to Philip II: "Thank God!" Sluis has been captured! "Never have I undertaken a military action in Flanders that gave me more work and worries."

In 1588, the attempt to cross the Channel with the Armada ends in failure. Sick and against his will, Alexander follows the order of Philip II to participate in the war in France. Alexander Farnese dies on December 3, 1592, in Arras.

 

5.  Ambrogio Spinola

Ambrogio Spinola is born in 1569 in Genoa as the son of Filippo Spinola, Marquis of Sesto and Venafro, and Polissena Grimaldi, daughter of the wealthy Nicoló Grimaldi. Traditionally, the prominent banking family Spinola has managed financial affairs for the Spanish royal house. Like his younger brother Federico, Ambrogio is also interested in military affairs and the honour to be gained on the battlefield. Together they devise projects to resolve the conflict in the Netherlands. In 1594, Federico in Madrid launches the idea of deploying galleys. This proves to be so successful that in 1597 they propose a larger project: attacking England and thereby cutting off the young Republic from its indispensable support. The plan first receives the approval of Philip II and later of Philip III.

 

A few months before his death in 1598, Philip II bequeaths the Netherlands to his daughter Isabella and her husband Albert. They rule over the Southern Netherlands as sovereign princes, albeit under strict conditions. Archduke Albrecht prefers peace negotiations with England over a direct confrontation. The brothers do not abandon their project and form a new army: a fleet led by Federico and a land army led by Ambrogio. In November 1601, Ambrogio begins recruiting soldiers in Italy. Via the 'Camino Español' (Spanish Road), he arrives with his troops in Flanders in July 1602. Federico’s sea voyage to the north is unfolding with great misfortune. During battles with Dutch ships, he dies on May 26, 1603, off the coast of Sluis.

 

6.

In September 1603, Albrecht hands over command of the troops at Ostend to the wealthy but inexperienced Ambrogio Spinola. Before he begins the siege of Ostend, he allowes himself to be informed about the local situation by army commander Pompeo Giustiniano. He begins to organize the army and pay the soldiers their overdue wages.

The siege works of engineer Pompeo Targone on the eastern side of Ostend look impressive on paper but are hardly effective in practice. Spinola decides to conquer the city step by step, fortress by fortress, from the south and west. Months of bitter fighting, fierce storms, floods, plague, and countless casualties follow.

 

7.

In the spring of 1604, Maurice of Nassau besieges the nearby town of Sluis. In July, the situation in this city is so dire that Archduke Albrecht orders Spinola to relieve the city. At Oostburg, Spinola confronts Maurits directly for the first time, but after bloody battles, he must concede defeat. With Sluis definitively in Dutch hands, Spinola turns his attention back to Ostend.

 

8.

On September 22, 1604, there is not much left of Ostend but a smoldering heap of ruins, and the city surrenders. At the moment of capitulation, Spinola is in Bruges. After hearing of the surrender, he hurries towards Ostend. Galloping and beside himself with joy, he shouts along the way to anyone who will listen in pure Genoese dialect: L'ho pia! L'ho pia! (I took it! I took it!).

 

9.

At the behest of Albrecht, Philip III appoints Spinola as commander of the entire army of Flanders in February 1605. Spinola also receives control over all military funds.

In June 1605, the Dutch and Spanish troops face each other near IJzendijke. Both camps keep a close watch on each other, but apart from a few skirmishes nothing happens. Spinola realizes that he cannot reach Sluis and leaves Flanders in July to begin a successful campaign in the north. In a short time, he conquers, among others, Oldenzaal, Lingen, Lochem, and Groenlo.

 

10.

The capture of Breda in 1625 symbolises the peak of Spinola’s career and is celebrated big throughout Spain. The insolvency of Spain in 1627 limits further advancement. Spinola travels to Madrid where he informs the king that he refuses to return to the north without peace or money (paz o plata). He receives neither and will never see the Low Countries again.

 

In 1629, Philip IV appoints Spinola as governor of Milan and commander of the army with absolute authority. During the siege of the fortress of Casale Monferrato, Spinola falls ill and on September 25, 1630, he dies in Castelnuovo di Scrivio, sick, depressed, impoverished, and humiliated.