Alessandro Farnese, Duke of Parma

Alessandro Farnese, Duke of Parma Historical Figure Nationality: Parma, a vassal state of Spain) Year of Birth: 1545 Year of Death: 1592 Cause of Death: Infected wound from being shot in battle Religion: Catholicism Occupation: Politician, Soldier, Military Governor Spouse: Maria de Guimarães Children: Margherita, Ranuccio, Odoardo, Isabella Military Branch: Spanish Army Political Office(s): Duke of Parma Fictional Appearances: Ruled Britannia POD: July-August, 1588 Type of Appearance: Posthumous reference Date of Death: 1590s Cause of Death: Unrevealed

Alessandro Farnese, the Duke of Parma (27 August 1545 – 3 December 1592) was a high-ranking Italian nobleman and general in the service of Spain. From 1577 he led armies in the Netherlands against English-backed Protestant rebels with such expertise that the dying Spanish governor and commander in chief, Don John of Austria, recommended him as his successor to his half-brother, King Philip II of Spain. Philip II acceded and during the following years, the rebels lost all their territories outside Holland and Zeeland.

In 1588, against Parma's judgment who considered that the defeat of the Dutch was near, he was ordered to take Sluys and Ostend in anticipation for the arrival of the Spanish Armada, which would then ferry him and his army across the Channel to invade England. Parma accomplished his objectives but the naval attack failed, rendering them irrelevant. In 1589, Parma was forced again to march, this time south, to support the French Catholics against Henry IV of France. While besieging Caudebec in 1592, he was injured by musket fire in an arm. The wound became infected and caused his death some days later.

Duke of Parma in Ruled Britannia

In 1588, the Duke of Parma's army rendezvoused with the Spanish Armada in Dunkirk and landed in England. Parma's well-trained and combat-hardened troops easily overcame the amateur English forces.

After installing Queen Isabella and King Albert, Parma's army, reinforced by Catholic English and Irish troops, remained in England as an occupational garrison. Parma was succeeded as commander by Don Diego Flores de Valdés.

Parma died some time before the English rebellion of 1598. He was a character in William Shakespeare's play, King Philip.

References

Political offices (OTL)
Preceded by Don Juan de Austria	Governor of the Spanish Netherlands 1578-1592	Succeeded by Peter Ernst von Mansfeld-Vorderort
Royal offices (OTL)
Preceded by Ottavio Farnese	Duke of Parma and Piacenza 1586-1592	Succeeded by Ranuccio Farnese I