Francisco de Melo
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Don Francisco de Melo (Estremoz, 1597 – 1651), Portuguese marquis of Tor de Laguna, count of Assumar, was from 1641 to 1644 (interim) governor of the Southern Netherlands.
When Francisco de Melo came to the Southern Netherlands, he already had an impressive political career. From 1632 to 1636 he had been Spanish ambassador to Genoa. In 1638 he was appointed viceroy of Sicily, and two years later he was ambassador in Vienna.
Above all, Francisco de Melo will be remembered for the historical defeat at the battle of Rocroi in 1643. In later years this defeat has been regarded as the beginning of the decline of the Spanish empire. Don Francisco's victory at the Battle of Honnecourt one year earlier, has been completely forgotten.
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| Preceded by Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand |
Governor-General of the Spanish Netherlands 1641–1644 |
Succeeded by Marquis of Castel Rodrigo |
