Fadrique Álvarez de Toledo, 4th Duke of Alba

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Don Fadrique Alvarez de Toledo was commander of the Spanish troops during the most bloody phase of the Dutch Revolt.
Don Fadrique Alvarez de Toledo was commander of the Spanish troops during the most bloody phase of the Dutch Revolt.

Don Fadrique Álvarez de Toledo, 4th Duke of Alba (es: Don Fadrique Álvarez de Toledo, cuarto duque de Alba) (1537December 11, 1583), was a commander in the Spanish army during the Eighty Years' War.

He was the second son of Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, Duke of Alba, and he became the fourth Duke of Alva after his father's death. His was Duke of Huesca, Marquis of Coria and Comendador Mayor in the Order of Calatrava.

Don Fadrique, was commander of the Spanish troops during the most bloody phase of the war in the Netherlands. He was in charge during the slaughtering in Mechelen, Zutphen and Naarden, as well as during the Siege of Haarlem.

His army failed in the siege of Alkmaar, and he had to retreat. His father the Duke did not approve of that -- he was afraid of his son's reputation that was already not good with Philip II of Spain, their King.

Don Fadrique's health deteriorated after 1573.