The Duke of Alva, known as Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, was a prominent Spanish military leader and nobleman in the 16th century. Born in 1507, he played a crucial role in the Spanish Netherlands during a time of political unrest. Alva is best known for his harsh measures against the Protestant Reformation and his efforts to maintain Spanish control over the region. He was appointed governor of the Spanish Netherlands in 1567, where he implemented the infamous Council of Troubles, leading to widespread persecution of dissenters. His authoritarian rule sparked significant resistance, contributing to the Eighty Years' War and the eventual independence of the Netherlands.