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Andrea Doria ( November 30, 1466 - November 25, 1560) was a Genoese condottiere and admiral.
He was born at Oneglia of an ancient Genoese family. Orphaned at an early age, he became a soldier of fortune, serving first in the papal guard and then under various Italian princes. In 1503 he was fighting in Corsica in the service of Genoa, at that time under French vassalage, and he took part in the rising of Genoa against the French, whom he compelled to evacuate the city. From that time onwards, he became famous as a naval commander. For several years he scoured the Mediterranean in command of the Genoese fleet, waging war on the Turks and the Barbary pirates.
In the meanwhile Genoa had been recaptured by the French, and in 1522 by the Imperialists. But Doria now joined the French or popular faction and entered the service of King Francis I of FranceFrancis I Francois I in French) ( September 12 1494 July 31 1547) was crowned King of France in 1515 in the cathedral at Reims and reigned until 1547. Francis I, a member of the Valois Dynasty, was born at Cognac, Charente, the son of Charles d'Angouleme, who made him captain-general; in 1524 he relieved Marseilles, which was besieged by the Imperialists, and helped to place his native city once more under French domination. Dissatisfied with his treatment at the hands of Francis, who was mean about payment, he resented the king's behaviour in connection with Savona, which he delayed handing back to the Genoese as he had promised. Consequently, on the expiration of Doria's contract he entered the service of Charles V, Holy Roman EmperorCharles ( February 24, 1500 September 21 1558) was Holy Roman Emperor (as Charles V from 1519- 1558; he was also King of Spain from 1516- 1556, officially as Charles I of Spain although often referred to as Charles V ("Carlos Quinto" or "Carlos V") in Spa (1528).
Doria ordered his nephew Fiippino, who was then blockading NaplesAlternate uses: See Naples (disambiguation Naples ( Italian Napoli Neapolitan Napule from Greek Neapolis/) is the largest town in southern Italy, capital of the region of Campania. The city has a population of about 1 million, and together with its suburb in alliance with a French army, to withdraw; Doria then sailed for Genoa where, with the help of some leading citizens, he expelled the French and re-established the republic under imperial protection. He reformed the constitution in an aristocratic sense, most of the nobility being Imperialists, and put an end to the factions which divided the city. He refused the lordship of Genoa and even the dogeship, but accepted the position of perpetual censor, and exercised predominant influence in the councils of the republic until his death. He was given two palaces, many privileges, and the title of Liberator et Pater Patriae (Liberator and Father of His Country).
As imperial admiral he commanded several expeditions against the Turks, capturing Corona and Patras, and co-operating with the emperor himself in the capture of Tunis (1535). Charles found him an invaluable ally in the wars with Francis, and through him extended his domination over the whole of Italy. Doria's defeat by the Turks at PrevezaStatistics Capital:Preveza Periphery: Epirus Area:? km² Inhabitants:? 1991 Pop. density:? inh. km² ISO 3166-2:GR-? Map Preveza is one of the fifty-one prefectures of Greece. It is within the Epirus periphery. Its capital is a city by the same name. The ci in 1538Events Treaty of Nagyvarad. Peace between King Ferdinand and the Turks. John Zapolya is recognized as King of Hungary, while Ferdinand retains the northern and western parts of the Kingdom, and is recognized as heir to the throne. Truce of Nice Peace betw was said to be not involuntary, and designed to spite the Venetians whom he detested. He accompanied Charles on the ill-fated AlgeriaAlgeria is a country in northern Africa with a coast on the Mediterranean Sea along the north and bordered by Tunisia in the northeast, Libya in the east, Niger in the southeast, Mali and Mauritania in the southwest, and Morocco in the west (the Moroccann expedition of 1541, of which he disapproved, and by his ability just saved the whole force from complete disaster. For the next five years he continued to serve the emperor in various wars, in which he was generally successful and always active, although now over seventy years old; there was hardly an important event in Europe in which he had not some share.