Juan Jose of Austria

Biography

Recognized like wire naturalness of Philippe IV of Spain, his/her mother, Maria Calderon (or Calderona) was an actress whose life dissolue had made its paternity doubtful. However, the king recognizes it and makes him follow a princely education to Ocaña where he learns the bases from the military life.

In 1647, it is sent to Naples with a military squadron to come to assistance of the viceroy Rodriguez Ponce of Leon then of the catches with the popular revolt taken along by Masaniello. The restoration of l autority will be however more due to l´épuisement insurrectionists and the madness of their chief French, the duke Henri de Guise qu´ with the military force.

It is then sent like viceroy in Sicily, d´où it is recalled in 1651 to finish the pacification of the Catalogne (in revolt since 1640). Excesses of l´armée French, called with the rescue by the insurrectionists however passably cooled the heats of those and Juan n´arrive hardly that to direct the final seat of Barcelona and the signature of the convention which puts an end to the revolt in October 1652.

In both cases, it holds the role of the defender of peace and, his air sympathetic nerve coupled with its pleasant manners and its advantageous physique (in particular its long black hair, contrasting largely with the ungrateful physiques of Habsbourgs) in fact a popular man. In 1656, it is sent in the Flandres, then in revolt. At the time of the load of cavalry on the French camp of Valencian in 1656, it shows a great personal courage.

Well qu´il takes share with the command of l´armée Spanish at the time of the Bataille of the Dunes of 1658 against Turenne and the British forces sent by Cromwell, this one is completely beaten, in spite of the efforts of Conde.

Of 1661 with 1662, it directs the Spanish forces against the Portugal in Estremadura. Its troops are struck of disease, badly paid and not very reliable, but more than their opponents what ensures several successes to them which could have brought to a total victory if they had more largely exploited them. Most of the south of Portugal conquered east however when, in 1663, Portuguese is reinforced by an English quota and is placed under the command d´ Armand-Frederic de Schomberg which beats it at the time of the Bataille of Ameixial, on June 8th.

In spite of its defeats, Juan Jose keeps the confidence of her father jusqu´à what the queen Marie-Anne, mother of the only legitimate heir to the throne Charles II of Spain, n´intrigue to make it fall in disgrace and send in exile. With died of king Philippe in 1665, it takes the head of l´opposition to the government formed by the regent who will make assassinate l´un his servant.

In reaction, Juan Jose takes the head d´un rising in Aragon and Catalonia, which will end in l´expulsion of the favorite of the queen, the Jesuit Juan Everardo Nithard. It must however be satisfied with the viceroyalty of l´Aragon. In 1677, the queen s´étant attracted the lightnings of the government following its favors towards Fernando de Valenzuela, Juan Jose manages to make it expel court and to be made elect Prime Minister. It cannot hold the hopes put in him and in its government because it dies little of time later, in September 1679.

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