Diego Flores de Valdés

Don Diego Flores de Valdes succeeded the Duke of Parma as commander of Spanish forces in England following Spain's conquest of England in 1588. Flores de Valdes was charged with commanding the occupation of England and supporting Queen Isabella] and [[King Albert. His force included Spanish, English, and Irish soldiers.

Flores de Valdes employed Thomas Phelippes as his personal secretary.

In 1597, Flores de Valdes contracted with William Shakespeare to write King Philip, a play honoring the life of the dying King Philip II of Spain.

A year later, Flores de Valdes's army was defeated and expelled from England by a mob led by Robert Cecil. Flores de Valdes fled London ingloriously, saying "A general's place is in the van."