Francisco de Melo

For the Portuguese writer, see Dom Francisco Manuel de Mello.

Dom Francisco de Melo (1597 – 18 December 1651) was a Portuguese nobleman who served as a Spanish general during the Thirty Years' War.

Francisco de Melo
Francisco de Melo as Governor of the Spanish Netherlands.
Born	? 1597 Estremoz, Portugal
Died	18 December 1651 (aged 54 or 53) Madrid, Spain
Allegiance	Spain
Branch	Spanish Army
Years of service	1638–1645
Rank	Captain General
Battles / wars	Thirty Years' War Catalan Revolt

Biography

Francisco was born in Estremoz, Portugal. From 1632 to 1636 he was the Spanish ambassador to the Republic of Genoa.^[1] In 1638, Francisco was appointed viceroy of Sicily,^[2] and two years later he was ambassador in Vienna.^[1] He was appointed as an understudy of Marquess of Leganés.^[3]

Francisco was marquis of the Portuguese Tor de Laguna, count of Assumar, and from 1641 to 1644, interim governor of the Southern Netherlands.^[4]

When Francisco arrived in the Southern Netherlands, he already had an impressive political career. He scored a victory against Antoine III de Gramont at the Battle of Honnecourt in May 1642.^[5]

Francisco was defeated at the Battle of Rocroi in 1643.^[3][a] In August 1644, Francisco returned to Spain and was appointed to the council of state and royal military adviser by Philip IV of Spain.^[6][4]

Notes

1. Parker states, incorrectly, that Francisco was recalled in disgrace following his loss at Rocroi.^[6]