Alexander Farnese, Prince of Parma

Summary

Alessandro Farnese (10 January 1635 – 18 February 1689) was an Italian military leader, who was Governor of the Habsburg Netherlands from 1678 until 1682.

Alexander Farnese
Prince of Parma
Governor of the Habsburg Netherlands
Reign1678–1682
PredecessorCarlos de Aragón de Gurrea, 9th Duke of Villahermosa
SuccessorOttone Enrico del Caretto, Marquis of Savona
Born10 January 1635
Parma, Duchy of Parma and Piacenza
Died18 February 1689
Madrid, Spanish Empire
HouseFarnese
FatherOdoardo Farnese, Duke of Parma
MotherMargherita de' Medici

He is not to be confused with his better known great-grandfather Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma. This Alessandro was often called Alessandro di Odoardo (son of Odoardo). His elder brother Ranuccio II was the sixth Duke of Parma and Piacenza .

Biography edit

He was born in Parma, the second son of Odoardo Farnese, fifth Duke of Parma, and Margherita de' Medici.

He was general in the army of Venice, fighting the Turks and later admiral in the Spanish Navy. He became governor of the Southern Netherlands after the Franco-Dutch War.

Alexander died in Madrid in 1689.

Family edit

By his mistress Maria de Lao y Carillo had the following children:

  • Alessandro Odoardo (Badajoz, 12 April 1663 – Cacéres, 21 May 1666)
  • Alessandro Maria (Badajoz, 30 October 1664 – 28 September 1726), Colonel in Spanish army
  • Margherita (Badajoz, 5 June 1665 – Parma, November 1718), nun in Parma
  • Isabella (Badajoz, 19 September 1666 – Parma, 27 December 1741), nun in Parma


Preceded by Governor of the Spanish Netherlands
1678–1682
Succeeded by

References edit