L'ammiraglio e il generale. Federico e Ambrogio Spinola da Genova alle Fiandre

Why did Ambrogio Spinola arrive in Flanders? The reason has a name: Federico Spinola. Federico was Ambrogio’s younger brother; he was born in Genoa in 1571. He joined the Flemish Army at a very young age. Thanks to his qualities, he soon became the favourite of the Duke of Parma, Alessandro Farnese, governor of Flanders and commander of the Army. After the Duke’s death (1592), his military career continued under his successors: the Count Ernest von Mansfeld, the Archduke Ernest of Austria and the Archduke Albert of Austria. Federico also fought at sea and proposed the use of Mediterranean galleys in naval war, because they were suitable for the shallow waters of the Flanders coast. The galleys, based in Dunkirk and Sluis, operated successfully against commercial traffics. Federico’s aim was to defeat the Dutch rebels, but the positive results of his galleys led him to develop an ambitious plan: to use squadrons of galleys to invade England. In 1597, he presented the plan to Felipe II. In 1599, he brought more galleys from Santander’s squadron to Dunkirk and Sluis. In 1600, he went to Genoa and involved Ambrogio within the project. Federico had already collaborated with Ambrogio when he had unsuccessfully attempted to obtain the Naples’s squadron of galleys in asiento. Thus, Federico and Ambrogio organized and financed the Fleet and the Army for the invasion of England: they arrived in Flanders in 1602. Before invading England, it was necessary to recruit more troops and gather supplies. While Ambrogio was recruiting, Federico was killed during a skirmish of his galleys off Walcheren. The plan to invade England was then canceled. Ambrogio remained alone at the head of the Army and, thereafter, his adventure in Flanders began.