The oval bronze plaque of the Governor General of the Netherlands in 1557

The oval bronze plaque of the Governor General of the Netherlands in 1557

This plaque is in honor of Fernando Á lvarez de Toledo (1507-1582), Duke of Alvar III, who was a Spanish nobleman, general, and politician. In the Netherlands, he was known for suppressing uprisings against Spanish rule, especially during the Eighty Years' War. He served as the Governor General of Spain and the Netherlands from 1567 to 1573. In Spain, he is regarded by some as a great and successful military leader. However, outside of Spain, he is usually considered the 'executioner of the Netherlands'.