Pedro Henriquez de Acevedo, Count of Fuentes

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Count Fuentes
Count Fuentes

Don Pedro Henriquez d'Azevedo y Toledo, Count of Fuentes (September 18, 1560, ValladolidJuly 22, 1610, Milan) was a Spanish general and statesman.

He was a page at the court of Philip II, took part in the campaign in Portugal under the Duke of Alba and in 1582 was given supreme command over the Spanish troops.

Sent in 1591 by the king to the Netherlands, he assisted after the death of Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma his successor Peter Ernst von Mansfeld and later Ernst of Austria, after whose death he became intermittent stateholder of the Netherlands. His excessive severity persuaded Philip II to exchange him for Albrecht of Austria.

He was then made governor and Captain General of Milan, where he spread fear among the Italian nobility, especially the Venetians through his policies and use of the army. In 1599, he entered into a treaty with the Count of Savoy and assisted in the conspiracy of Biron. Under his rule a famous fortress, named after him and now ruined, was built to guard the border against the Grisons near Colico.

He died in office.

Preceded by
Juan Fernández de Velasco, 5th Duke of Frias
Governors of the Duchy of Milan
1600-1610
Succeeded by
Juan Fernández de Velasco, 5th Duke of Frias
Preceded by
Archduke Ernest of Austria
Governors of the Habsburg Netherlands
1595-1596
Succeeded by
Albrecht of Austria