SANTA CRUZ, Á LVARO DE BAZ Á N, FIRST MARQUIS OF (1526 – 1588)

SANTA CRUZ, Á LVARO DE BAZ Á N, FIRST MARQUIS OF (1526 – 1588), Spanish admiral. Born in Granada to Á lvaro de Baz á n the elder, who contracted and commanded both Atlantic squadrons and Mediterranean galleys, the younger Baz á n began early to serve alongside his father and, in 1543, fought at Muros Bay against the French. In 1554, he sailed in the armada that took Philip II of Spain to his marriage with Mary Tudor of England. On the death of the elder Baz á n in 1555, he assumed command of his Atlantic squadron. With peace in 1559, Baz á n took command of eight galleys to ...