1568: You're the King of Spain and the Dutch provinces revolt. But how can you send your army to the Netherlands through pirates and hostile states?

Enters the Camino Español, one of the most impressive logistical and diplomatic feats in military history.


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1568: You're the King of Spain and the Dutch provinces revolt. But how can you send your army to the Netherlands through pirates and hostile states? Enters the Camino Español, one of the most impressive logistical and diplomatic feats in military history.

King Felipe II of Spain, Naples &amp; Sicily, duke of Milan &amp; Burgundy, was also Prince of the Netherlands.
In 1566 a Calvinist riot leads to the death of 10s of priests and the destruction of many churches. Felipe, defender of the true faith, wants to punish the rebels.<div class="image-container"><img alt="" src="https://resizer.memodapp.com/v1/image//https://cdn.memod.com/images/87e2hy.jpg?w=611&amp;h=398&amp;fit=cover&amp;orientation=landscape" class="bullet-image" /></div>

King Felipe II of Spain, Naples & Sicily, duke of Milan & Burgundy, was also Prince of the Netherlands.
In 1566 a Calvinist riot leads to the death of 10s of priests and the destruction of many churches. Felipe, defender of the true faith, wants to punish the rebels.




His father, Charles V, had warned him that the lowlands were hard to defend and that Spain might be better off abandoning it. But hawks around him, especially the Duke of Alba, tell him that the fiercesome Spanish tercios should easily cut down the protestant rabble.<div class="image-container"><img alt="" src="https://resizer.memodapp.com/v1/image//https://cdn.memod.com/images/bVWuWz.jpeg?w=611&amp;h=398&amp;fit=cover&amp;orientation=landscape" class="bullet-image" /></div>

His father, Charles V, had warned him that the lowlands were hard to defend and that Spain might be better off abandoning it.

But hawks around him, especially the Duke of Alba, tell him that the fiercesome Spanish tercios should easily cut down the protestant rabble.



But how can Felipe send his troops up there? He could go through France, but the French kings are the sworn enemies of the Habsburgs. The King of France cannot afford to alienate the French protestant Huguenots by letting Catholic Tercios through to crush the dutch protestants.

 But how can Felipe send his troops up there? He could go through France, but the French kings are the sworn enemies of the Habsburgs. The King of France cannot  afford to alienate the French protestant Huguenots by letting Catholic Tercios through to crush the dutch protestants.


He could sail but the French had retaken Calais in 1558 and England could not be trusted (Queen Elizabeth later declared war in 1568).
The sea was also infested with dutch corsairs (the "water beggars") and French Huguenot pirates from La Rochelle. The sea was too dangerous.<div class="image-container"><img alt="" src="https://resizer.memodapp.com/v1/image//https://cdn.memod.com/images/vzvRR0.jpg?w=611&amp;h=611&amp;fit=cover&amp;orientation=square" class="bullet-image" /></div>

He could sail but the French had retaken Calais in 1558 and England could not be trusted (Queen Elizabeth later declared war in 1568).

The sea was also infested with dutch corsairs (the "water beggars") and French Huguenot pirates from La Rochelle. The sea was too dangerous.



So the King and his uber hawk the Duke of Alba started making plans for an extremely ambitious land route from Italy to the Netherlands via the Alps. There were small mountain paths but it would be enough for armies 10000-strong?

So the King and his uber hawk the Duke of Alba started making plans for an extremely ambitious land route from Italy to the Netherlands via the Alps. There were small mountain paths but it would be enough for armies 10000-strong?



The Duke of Alba is a war hero and one of the greatest general in Spanish history. He conquered Tunis in 1535, defeated the German Protestants in 1547. He wasn't going to let geography ruin his war. So he sent 300 sappers to prepare a 1000 km corridor across Europe.

The Duke of Alba is a war hero and one of the greatest general in Spanish history. He conquered Tunis in 1535, defeated the German Protestants in 1547. 

He wasn't going to let geography ruin his war.

So he sent 300 sappers to prepare a 1000 km corridor across Europe.


They enlarged the mountain paths, avoided the marshes, identified fords in rivers and draw detailed maps of the path. But the real feat was political. How could massive Tercios cross half of Europe (which was in a state of frenzied religious war) unmolested?

They enlarged the mountain paths, avoided the marshes, identified fords in rivers and draw detailed maps of the path.

But the real feat was political. How could massive Tercios cross half of Europe (which was in a state of frenzied religious war) unmolested?


The first stop for the troops ferried from Barcelona is Genoa. The merchant republic is all too happy to let the Spanish troops in. Indeed, the hated Venice made an alliance with France so Genoa turned to France's enemy. Genoa is also the de facto banking hub for Spain.

The first stop for the troops ferried from Barcelona is Genoa. 

The merchant republic is all too happy to let the Spanish troops in. Indeed, the hated Venice made an alliance with France so Genoa turned to France's enemy. Genoa is also the de facto banking hub for Spain.


Italy is also traditionally where young recruits (bisgonos) were trained for 2-3 years.The soldiers would joke would joke: "Spain is my nature, Italy my adventure, Flanders my grave."

Italy is also traditionally where young recruits (bisgonos) were trained for 2-3 years.
The soldiers would joke would joke: "Spain is my nature, Italy my adventure, Flanders my grave."


The headache

From Genoa the troops walk into Lombardy. Will its ruler accept the Spanish troops? Well yes because the duke of Milan is ... Felipe King of Spain.

From Genoa the troops walk into Lombardy. Will its ruler accept the Spanish troops? Well yes because the duke of Milan is ... Felipe King of Spain.


Moving north they enter Savoy which wants to play an balancing act between France and Spain. Spain is the dominant power while France is consumed by its civil war, so they let them through. You can never be too sure, so Felipe also marries his daughter to the duke of Savoy.

Moving north they enter Savoy which wants to play an  balancing act between France and Spain. Spain is the dominant power while France is consumed by its civil war, so they let them through.

You can never be too sure, so Felipe also marries his daughter to the duke of Savoy.


After going through the harrowing Alpine passes (where they are often harassed by soldiers from Geneva) they enter Franche Comté (modern day eastern France). The county is part of Felipe's Burgundian lands and Felipe is autorised by Treaty with France to let troops through.

After going through the harrowing Alpine passes (where they are often harassed by soldiers from Geneva) they enter Franche Comté (modern day eastern France). The county is part of Felipe's Burgundian lands and Felipe is autorised by Treaty with France to let troops through.


The most obvious next step would be the Rhine but the powerful Elector Palatinate controls both sides and is incredibly hostile to Spain.

The most obvious next step would be the Rhine but the powerful Elector Palatinate controls both sides and is incredibly hostile to Spain.


So the Spanish tercios have to go through Lorraine. By treaty, Lorraine is a neutral buffer state between the French and Spanish but troops are allowed to pass. The Duke of Lorraine is losing ground to France so he's very happy to have Spanish troops around.

So the Spanish tercios have to go through Lorraine. By treaty, Lorraine is a neutral buffer state between the French and Spanish but troops are allowed to pass.

The Duke of Lorraine is losing ground to France so he's very happy to have Spanish troops around.


After Lorraine the troops go through Luxembourg, another of Felipe's possessions and then the bishopric of Liège, which is surrounded by Spanish holdings and not really in a position to refuse anything to the most powerful man in Europe. Finally they are in the Dutch provinces.

After Lorraine the troops go through Luxembourg, another of Felipe's possessions and then the bishopric of Liège, which is surrounded by Spanish holdings and not really in a position to refuse anything to the most powerful man in Europe. Finally they are in the Dutch provinces.


On top of that you have to imagine that every time the armies go through, the King must send legions of Ambassadors to negotiate the right of passage and reassure them that their men won't raze their lands on the way.

On top of that you have to imagine that every time the armies go through, the King must send legions of Ambassadors to negotiate the right of passage and reassure them that their men won't raze their lands on the way.


The path is first used in 1567 and the whole of Europe is holding its breath. Are the tercios going to fight the Dutch? Or will they try to grab calvinist Geneva? or Besançon? Protestants wonder if they should attack the marching army in solidarity with the Dutch.

The path is first used in 1567 and the whole of Europe is holding its breath. Are the tercios going to fight the Dutch? Or will they try to grab calvinist Geneva? or Besançon? 

Protestants wonder if they should attack the marching army in solidarity with the Dutch.


The King of France recruits 6000 Swiss mercenaries to make sure the Spaniards do not do anything tricky. Throughout the war 10% of the expeditions through the "Spanish way" are actually used to attack other areas than the Dutch Provinces (mainly in France, Switzerland, Germany)

The King of France recruits 6000 Swiss mercenaries to make sure the Spaniards do not do anything tricky. Throughout the war 10% of the expeditions through the "Spanish way" are actually used to attack other areas than the Dutch Provinces (mainly in France, Switzerland, Germany)


A diplomatic masterpiece

While the politics of the Camino are impressive, the logistics are centuries ahead of its time. Let's follow the first expedition ran by the Duke of Alba himself.

While the politics of the Camino are impressive, the logistics are centuries ahead of its time.

Let's follow the first expedition ran by the Duke of Alba himself.


After a month at sea between Barcelona and Genoa, Alba picks up his 4 Tercios at Alessandria who came from their garrisons in Naples, Sicily, Sardinia and Lombardy, replaced by the green bisognos. Artillery and light cavalry comes from Croatia.

After a month at sea between Barcelona and Genoa, Alba picks up his 4 Tercios at Alessandria who came from their garrisons in Naples, Sicily, Sardinia and Lombardy, replaced by the green bisognos. Artillery and light cavalry comes from Croatia.


Alba has around 9000 tercios on foot (pikes, halberdiers, musketeers...), 1000 cavalry, 300 officers, 40 canons... And 400 civilians: wives /children, money lenders, merchants, prostitutes. Add 2000 horses, donkeys or mules, 100s of carts. 600 mules carry weapons and gold.

Alba has around 9000 tercios on foot (pikes, halberdiers, musketeers...), 1000 cavalry, 300 officers, 40 canons...

And 400 civilians: wives /children, money lenders, merchants, prostitutes.

Add 2000 horses, donkeys or mules, 100s of carts.

600 mules carry weapons and gold.


Alba's column spreads on 50 kms. It took him 56 days to cross 1100 kms through the Alps and modern day Eastern France to reach the Netherlands, around 20kms a day. The average trip is around 48 days, or a staggering 23 kms a day. Only Napoleon would top that speed.<img class="bullet-image" src="https://c8.alamy.com/zooms/9/198137922eb941cf9e367624eac5d192/bm21ga.jpg" alt="Napoleon army marching hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy" />

Alba's column spreads on 50 kms.

It took him 56 days to cross 1100 kms through the Alps and modern day Eastern France to reach the Netherlands, around 20kms a day. The average trip is around 48 days, or a staggering 23 kms a day. 

Only Napoleon would top that speed.


But how do you feed this army? You can't really put markets along the way, especially since the Spanish would send an army through the Camino only every two years on average. So the Spaniards implement an ingenious system of stops to feed and shelter the troops every 3 days.

But how do you feed this army? You can't really put markets along the way, especially since the Spanish would send an army through the Camino only every two years on average.

So the Spaniards implement an ingenious system of stops to feed and shelter the troops every 3 days.


At every stop hosts are identified. They have to give the men water, salt, oil (for the weapons) and vinegar (against nits and to harden their feet). The hosts are given receipts they can exchange for compensation.

At every stop hosts are identified. They have to give the men water, salt, oil (for the weapons) and vinegar (against nits and to harden their feet). The hosts are given receipts they can exchange for compensation.


Since supplying 16000 people at once is impossible, the army is divided in 3 columns, themselves split in companies which succeed each other every 24 hours. A small town like St Jean de Maurienne can only host 700... by cramping 3 per bed. Looting is punished by death.<img class="bullet-image" src="https://proxy-img4.open-system.fr/img.aspx?src=http://sitedynamique.alliance-reseaux.com/InfoliveImages/sha-maurienne/accueil/theatrum-plan-st-jean.jpg" alt="Accueil - Société d'Histoire et d'Archéologie de Maurienne" />

Since supplying 16000 people at once is impossible, the army is divided in 3 columns, themselves split in companies which succeed each other every 24 hours.

A small town like St Jean de Maurienne can only host 700... by cramping 3 per bed.

Looting is punished by death.


To meet deadlines, marching discipline is extremely tough, and given their hostile surroundings, the tercios have to be ready for ambushes. To keep moral high, the officers make sure that the food will always be ready by richly paying their providers.

To meet deadlines, marching discipline is extremely tough, and given their hostile surroundings, the tercios have to be ready for ambushes.

To keep moral high, the officers make sure that the food will always be ready by richly paying their providers. 


The troops need per day 226g of meat, 115 g of cod, 290 g of bread, 1L of wine, vegetables/fruits. Animals need 20kg of fodder/grain. That's 7 tons of supply per 1K troops + their animals. For water (they need 2L per day) they walk from spring to spring.

The troops need per day 226g of meat, 115 g of cod, 290 g of bread, 1L of wine, vegetables/fruits. Animals need 20kg of fodder/grain. 

That's 7 tons of supply per 1K troops + their animals.

For water (they need 2L per day) they walk from spring to spring.


The total logistical cost per man for the Spanish crown is around 8 escudos per man, which is what it would have cost the crown to ferry the troops by sea. A logistical triumph that would allow Spain to send 30 convoys in Flanders for a total of 160 000 troops in 70 years.

The total logistical cost per man for the Spanish crown is around 8 escudos per man, which is what it would have cost the crown to ferry the troops by sea. A logistical triumph that would allow Spain to send 30 convoys in Flanders for a total of 160 000 troops in 70 years.


A logistical masterclass

What made the path viable for all those years was France's weakness. Embroiled in a bitter religious war, it couldn't really threaten Spain. After the civil war, Henri IV of Spain and later the Cardinal of Richelieu did all they could to cut this artery.

What made the path viable for all those years was France's weakness. Embroiled in a bitter religious war, it couldn't really threaten Spain.

After the civil war, Henri IV of Spain and later the Cardinal of Richelieu did all they could to cut this artery.


Savoy allies itself with France and he tercios have to cross the Alps through the Tyrol and the canton of the Grisons. In 1633 the French occupy Lorraine and the Grisons, cutting the Camino. In 1648 the treaty of Westphalia is signed and the United Provinces are independent.

Savoy allies itself with France and  he tercios have to cross the Alps through the Tyrol and the canton of the Grisons. In 1633 the French occupy Lorraine and the Grisons, cutting the Camino.

In 1648 the treaty of Westphalia is signed and the United Provinces are independent.


The Camino allowed Spain, a country of only 2 millions souls at the time, to wage war across Europe at an astonishing pace and for a limited cost. It was also used to fight in the 30 year war, with fresh troops from Italy beating the Swedes at Nördlingen.

The Camino allowed Spain, a country of only 2 millions souls at the time, to wage war across Europe at an astonishing pace and for a limited cost.

It was also used to  fight in the 30 year war, with fresh troops from Italy beating the Swedes at Nördlingen.


The path can still be found in an old country road near the Belgian town of Arlon called "the path of the Spaniards." Interestingly the path largely overlaps with the future "Blue Banana", Europe's industrial fertile crescent. <img class="bullet-image" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/Blue_Banana.svg/1200px-Blue_Banana.svg.png" alt="Blue Banana - Wikipedia" />

The path can still be found in an old country road near the Belgian town of Arlon called "the path of the Spaniards."

Interestingly the path largely overlaps with the future "Blue Banana", Europe's industrial fertile crescent. 


The camino also lingers on in the Spanish language. "Poner une pica en flandes" or "to put a pike in Flanders" means "to do the impossible," a true tribute to the logistical marvel of the Camino.

The camino also lingers on in the Spanish language. "Poner une pica en flandes" or "to put a pike in Flanders" means "to do the impossible," a true tribute to the logistical marvel of the Camino.


If you like threads about history and geography, stay tuned I have plenty more available on my Memo'd and <a href="https://twitter.com/Valen10Francois" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">twitter</a> accounts.

If you like threads about history and geography, stay tuned I have plenty more available on my Memo'd and twitter accounts.


But most importantly I want to thank the French magazine Guerres et Histoire for doing an in depth dive on this issue in their latest publication. I've been using it as my main source.

But most importantly I want to thank the French magazine Guerres et Histoire for doing an in depth dive on this issue in their latest publication. I've been using it as my main source. 


I also used the "Amigos del Camino Espanol" for their great maps and research and this Spanish documentary for some shots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDmrvqF2LCU

I also used the "Amigos del Camino Espanol" for their great maps and research and this Spanish documentary for some shots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDmrvqF2LCU


The end of the path

"Mettre une pique en Flandres" by Jean Lopez in Guerres et Histoire n°70

The most extraordinary logistical expedition in war

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