Francisco Javier Castaños, 1st Duke of Bailén
Francisco Javier Castaños Aragorri, 1st Duke of Bailén (1758–1852) was a Spanish military commander during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars. He presided over the Regency Council of Spain and the Indies (de facto head of state), in 1810. From July to September 1834, he served as the first president of the Senate of Spain, at that time called the House of Peers.
The Most Excellent Francisco Javier Castaños | |
|---|---|
Castaños (c. 1830) wearing the uniform of the Africa Regiment with the Order of the Golden Fleece and the Grand Cross and band of the Order of Charles III and the Laureate Cross of Saint Ferdinand and band. | |
| President of the Regency Council | |
| The Duke of Bailén | |
| In office 1 February 1810 – 29 May 1810 | |
| Monarch | Fernando VII |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Pedro de Quevedo y Quintano |
| 1st Speaker of the House of Peers | |
| In office 10 April 1834 – 12 July 1835 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | The Duke of Ahumada |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Francisco Javier Castaños Aragorri 22 April 1758 Madrid, Spain |
| Died | 22 April 1852 (aged 93) Madrid, Spain |
| Resting place | Pantheon of Illustrious Men (1852–1963) Parish Church of the Incarnation, Bailén (1963–present) |
| Profession | Army general and politician |
| Awards | Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Spain |
| Branch/service | Spanish Army |
| Years of service | 1774–1852 |
| Rank | Captain general |
| Battles/wars | War of the Pyrenees Anglo-Spanish War (1796–1808) Napoleonic Wars Peninsular War |
Castaños is remembered for his victory over the French under Dupont, whom he surrounded and compelled to surrender at the decisive Battle of Bailen in 1808, where the Napoleonic army was defeated in the open field for the first time and which led to King Joseph having to abandon Madrid at the end of that same month. Just months later he led his army to a decisive defeat at the Battle of Tudela. After this he served under Wellington in several engagements, and was commander of the Spanish army, if required, to invade France in 1815.
In 1833, Ferdinand VII of Spain granted him the title of Duke of Bailén, to honour his actions during the Peninsular War and, especially, at the Battle of Bailén.