Almost all senior commanders in the Thirty Years War were of noble birth but few could claim a higher status than the Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand of Spain. The King of Spain’s intention was to guide his son into a church career rather than one made on the battlefields of Europe, but fate and the necessities of war changed the Infante’s direction and he would become one of Spain’s most celebrated military commanders.
Ferdinand burst onto the military scene in 1634 when he joined his cousin, Ferdinand of Hungary, to crush the Swedes at the Battle of Nördlingen – until then, the Infante Ferdinand’s military record was patchy and uninspired. After the battle, Ferdinand took his Spanish troops to the Spanish Netherlands, the main strategic consideration of the Spanish during the Thirty Years War.
In 1635, Ferdinand led troops against the French, driving them back from the Dutch border in disarray. The following year, he trounced the French again, taking more towns and Luxembourg along the way. Events took an unfortunate turn for Ferdinand in 1637 when the Dutch Rebellion flared up again and the Prince of Orange captured the important fortress of Braga. The French too hit back and Ferdinand was forced to concede ground to them. Ferdinand was unable to retrieve his lost possessions and died of disease in 1641 aged just 32.
Command Rating: 8
Son of Spain
Ferdinand exuded Royalty, and his Spanish regiments competed to impress him. Any Spanish Foot units with 12" of Ferdinand gain +1 Hand-to-Hand Value.
Models supplied unassembled and unpainted
