The Italian Nation in the Alexander Farnese´s Army at the Habsburg Netherlands: New perspectives.

Abstract

The multinational army, under Alessandro Farnese, had a large presence of Italians. In the light of new archival documentation this paper deals with their recruitment, careers and employment. The preferential treatment accorded by the general to his fellow countrymen created him problems with soldiers of other nationalities and with the Spanish court and contributed greatly to the decision of his removal from power. The biography of Paolo Rinaldi, written to defend the memory of Alessandro, memorials of his officers and their correspondence indicate what was the reason for his behaviour. The general aimed to get the support of the local population, and especially of the peasants, for military operations and Italians, thanks to the stricter discipline he could impose on them, could help him in achieving his objectives, better than soldiers of other nations. Not always his hopes were realized.

Keywords

• Procurement
• military career
• discipline
• Habsburg
• Netherlands
• Italy
• nation
• reputation.