The Duke of Alba

Tyrannical governor

The troops in black armour are lead by a man whose features have been obscured by repainting. On other versions of the painting he can be identified as the Duke of Alba by his sinister look and long beard. Fernando Álvarez de Toledo y Pimentel, third Duke of Alba, is governor over the Spanish Netherlands from 1567 to 1573, ruling with an iron fist.

He suppresses regional resistance with the help of special courts, the so-called Council of Blood. Over 6000 pro-independence supporters are executed or burned. In November of 1567, Spanish troops pillage Antwerp for 3 days in what comes to be known as the Spanish Fury. The soldiers demand tributes from the citizens and set fire to the houses of those who refuse or have no money.

Eventually Alba fails in the Netherlands. His brutal behaviour sparks a guerrilla war which leads to the division of the countries into a southern territory (now Belgium) and a northern territory (now the Netherlands) 80 years later.