SPINOLA AMBROGIO: (1569-1630) 1st Marquess of Los Balbases. Also called and remembered as ...

SPINOLA AMBROGIO: (1569-1630) 1st Marquess of Los Balbases. Also called and remembered as "Ambrosio" by Spanish. Italian condottiero and nobleman of Genoa who served as Captain-General of the army of Flanders under the Spanish Monarchy of Philip III. He is considered one of the greatest military commanders in the history of the Spanish army. Very rare L.S., `Ambrosio Spinola´, two pages, folio, Brussels, 11th May 1619, to Count de Bucquoy, in Spanish. The present letter is set in the starting period of the Thirty Years´ War. Ambrosio Spinola confirms to his correspondent the troops that are on its way to him, stating in part `...considerando que ya los mil caballos primeros los tendrá V.S a estas horas y que los otros mil y los 6 cuerpos de Infantes estarán prestos por allá, escribenme como ya habian pasado muestra, recibido las armas y la priumera paga, que toda la gente era muy buena, y el numero cumplido, y que va marchando sin perder tiempo, y asi despues de mañana será en Alsacia la caballería y la infanteria, y hago la cuenta que a mediado Junio estará todo en ese campo...´ (Translation: "...considering that Y[our].I[llustriousness]. will have the first thousand horses by now and that the other thousand and the 6 Infantry Corps should be ready over there, they write to me that they did the troops review, received the weapons and the first payment, that all the people were very good, and the number was sufficient, and that you are marching without losing time, and this way after tomorrow the cavalry and infantry will be in Alsace, and I calculate that by mid-June everything will be in place on those fields...") Further Spinola refers to additional troops on their way to reach the Count of Bucquoy, saying `El Conde Juan de Nasao se ha partido y ha asegurado que los 3 cuerpos Alemanes que han levantado estaran prontos para ir con la demas gente. También se levantan los 900 caballos del Duque de Florencia y los otros 900 del Barón de Lietistain, con todo lo cual me parece que tendrá V.I un razonable ejercito, para con él hacer los efectos que se esperan del valor y prudencia de V.I..´ (Translation: "Count John of Nassau has departed and has assured that the three German corps that have been raised will be ready to go with the rest of the troops. The 900 horses of the Duke of Florence and the other 900 of the Baron of Lichtenstein are also raised, with all of which it seems to me that Y.I will have a reasonable army, with which to carry out the effects that are expected from Y.I courage and prudence...") With address leaf, saying `Al Conde de Bucquoy Caballero de la orden del toison de oro, del consejo de guerra de Su Majestad...´ (Translation: "To the Count of Bucquoy, Knight of the Golden Fleece, and member of the war council of Hiss Majesty...") Bearing to the address leaf a paper seal affixed showing a coat of arms. Small professional repair to the verso and edges of the address leaf, not affecting the text or signature. VG

Charles Bonaventure de Longueval, 2nd Count of Bucquoy (1561-1621) Spanish General. Military Commander who fought for the Spanish Netherlands during the Eight Years´War and for the Holy Roman Empire during the Thirty Years´ War.

The Distinguished Order of the Golden Fleece (in Spanish, Insigne Orden del Toisón de Oro) is a Catholic order of chivalry founded in 1430 in Bruges by Philip the Good. Today, two branches of the order exist, namely the Spanish Fleece and the Austrian Fleece; the current grand masters are King Felipe VI of Spain and Karl von Habsburg respectively. The last appointed living member being Princess Leonor of Spain, heiress of the Spanish throne.