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

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 g... Mehr ...