He was of a distinguished Umbrian family, and had passed his life in camps, few of the generals who had accompanied Alva to the Netherlands being better known or more odious to the inhabitants.

He was equally distinguished for his courage, his cruelty, and his corpulence.

The last characteristic was so remarkable that he was almost monstrous in his personal appearance.
His protuberant stomach was always supported in a bandage suspended from his neck, yet in spite of this enormous impediment, he was personally active on the battle-field, and performed more service, not only as a commander but as a subaltern, than many a younger and lighter man.
The siege of Zierickzee was protracted till the following June, the city holding out with firmness.

Want of funds caused the operations to be, conducted with languor, but the same cause prevented the Prince from accomplishing its relief.

Thus the expedition from Philipsland, the most brilliant military exploit of the whole war, was attended with important results.