Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand of Austria

Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand (also known as Don Fernando de Austria, Cardenal-Infante Fernando de España and as Ferdinand von Österreich; May 1609 or 1610 – 9 November 1641) was a Spanish and Portuguese prince (Infante of Spain, Infante of Portugal (until 1640)), Governor of the Spanish Netherlands, Cardinal of the Holy Catholic Church, Archduke of Austria, Archbishop of Toledo (1619–41), and a general during the Thirty Years' War, the Eighty Years' War, and the Franco-Spanish War. He is commonly considered the last great commander and strategist of the Spanish Empire, whose premature death in a critical moment helped bring about the end of Spanish hegemony in Europe. He is, as well, one of few generals undefeated on the battlefield.


Infante Ferdinand
Cardinal-Deacon of Santa Maria in Portico
Portrait by Anthony van Dyck, 1634
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
Installed29 July 1619
Term ended9 November 1641
PredecessorFerdinando Gonzaga
SuccessorVirginio Orsini
Other post(s)Apostolic Administrator of Toledo
Governor of the Spanish Netherlands
Governor of the Duchy of Milan
Orders
Created cardinal29 July 1619
by Paul V
RankCardinal-Deacon
Personal details
Born(1609-05-16)16 May 1609
San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Kingdom of Spain
Died9 November 1641(1641-11-09) (aged 32)
Brussels, Duchy of Brabant Spanish Netherlands
BuriedEl Escorial
DenominationCatholic
ParentsPhilip III of Spain
Margaret of Austria
Govermental posts
Governor of the Spanish Netherlands
In office
1 December 1630  9 November 1641
MonarchPhilip IV
Preceded byIsabella Clara Eugenia
Succeeded byFrancisco de Melo
as acting governor
Governor of the Duchy of Milan
In office
1633  July 1634
MonarchPhilip IV
Preceded byGómez Suárez de Figueroa
Succeeded byCardinal Gil de Albornoz
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