Charles-Hippolyte-Philippe Spinola, known as Philippe Spinola (c. 1612–1670) was count of Bruay, baron of Andre, and lord of Kounice, a lordship which he later exchanged for those of Calonne-sur-la-Lys and Viefville, Grandee of Spain and Knight of the Golden Fleece.[1]

Philippe Spinola

Count of Bruay
Bornc. 1612
Died(1670-01-14)January 14, 1670
Brussels
Buried
Chapel Church, Brussels
AllegianceSpanish Habsburg
Years of service1627–67
RankCaptain; Maestre de Campo; sergeant-general
UnitRegiment Spinola
Commands heldColonel of his own regiment; governor of Walloon Flanders 1655–67
Battles/warsSiege of Lille (1667)

Life edit

Born in or before 1612, Spinola was the youngest son of Bertin Spinola, Count of Bruay. At the age of 15 he enlisted in the Walloon regiment of Albert de Ligne, Prince of Barbançon, soon coming to command a company of the regiment, and eventually a regiment of his own as Maestre de Campo.

In 1652 he was appointed sergeant-general and in 1655 governor and captain-general of Walloon Flanders. He was the last man to hold this position under the King of Spain. In 1667 Louis XIV besieged Lille and conquered the province. After this defeat Spinola retired from public life. He died on 14 January 1670 after a short illness.

References edit

  1. ^ E. Jordens, "Spinola (Charles-Hippolyte-Philippe dit Philippe)", Biographie Nationale de Belgique, vol. 23 (Brussels, 1924), 422-424.