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Alvaro de BazanSpanish admiral, 1st Marquis of Santa Cruz
Date of Birth: 12.12.1526
Country:  Spain |
Content:
- Álvaro de Bazán: Spanish Admiral and Marquess of Santa Cruz
- Naval Career
- Portuguese Succession War
- Advocate for War with England
- Later Career and Death
Álvaro de Bazán: Spanish Admiral and Marquess of Santa Cruz
Early Life and FamilyÁlvaro de Bazán was born in Granada, Spain, to a family with roots in the Baztán Valley of Navarre, from which the family name is derived. His grandfather, also named Álvaro de Bazán, participated in the liberation of Granada from the Moors in 1492. His father, another Álvaro, served as commander of the Spanish royal fleet in the Mediterranean under Emperor Charles V.
Naval Career
Following in his father's footsteps, Álvaro de Bazán embarked on a distinguished naval career at an early age. He became a member of the Order of Santiago and married his cousin, the sister of the 1st Duke of Peñaranda from the Zúñiga family. In 1564, he led a fleet of galleys in the capture of Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera and the blockade of the pirate stronghold of Tetouan.
In 1568, King Philip II appointed Bazán to command the Spanish fleet of galleys based in Naples. He played a crucial role in the Holy League's war against the Ottoman Empire. During the famous Battle of Lepanto (October 7, 1571), in which the Ottoman navy suffered a major defeat, Bazán commanded the reserve squadron. The following year, he assisted Don John of Austria in the conquest of Tunis.
Portuguese Succession War
During the Portuguese Succession War (1580-1583), the Marquess of Santa Cruz defeated the fleet of pretender Antonio and his French and English allies near the Azores. He subsequently captured the islands themselves, securing victory for Spain in the conflict.
Advocate for War with England
Bazán regarded England as Spain's greatest adversary and advocated for war against it. In August 1583, he sent a letter to King Philip II, proposing the creation of the Spanish Armada with the goal of conquering England. The Marquess of Santa Cruz was initially chosen to lead this formidable fleet.
Later Career and Death
In 1587, Francis Drake's raid on Cádiz destroyed a portion of the Spanish fleet. Although Bazán was stationed in Lisbon at the time, he was blamed for the disaster. He died in Lisbon on February 9, 1588. The Spanish Armada was ultimately led by the Duke of Medina Sidonia instead of Bazán.
