2024-10-30 06:56:00
The journalist and researcher Fernando Martínez Laínez He is one of those pioneers who laid the foundations for the history of the Tercio in these parts. And don’t think it’s a purely formal statement. He began his research on these units more than two decades ago and, even today, his works continue to be republished. His word is law, or almost. Now he goes back to the bookshop, and he does it with an essay –«War brothers. The victories of the Tercios (Espasa)– in which he settles one of the few debts he had with them: by analyzing what he called ‘group spirit’. That unity and camaraderie that led them to dominate the Old Continent for almost three centuries. Although, as it couldn’t be otherwise, he also gives some ear-splitting to those who support hackneyed themes such as the multiculturalism of the most legendary infantry of his era. “Yes, there were Tercios of other nationalities, but the Spaniards were only made up of levies from the peninsula,” he explains to ABC. Today we ask him all this, and much more.
–What is the purpose of this book?
The idea is to create a sort of collection of the Tercios’ battles. But not to recount victories, but to convey the spirit of these soldiers. The genesis is that they were not defined and immutable structures, but rather obeyed an evolution defined by centuries of border warfare against Muslims and civil wars within the peninsula. It was for centuries that they forged a very warlike people, the Spanish, whose spirit was later reflected in the Tercios.
–And how were they lit?
This evolution was marked by the royal decrees of the Catholic Monarchs. They, through a series of writers, created what was, bureaucratically, the most advanced military organization in Europe and the world. All this administrative apparatus forged the best army of the time, which was later evident in the overwhelming triumphs of Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba under the orders of King Ferdinand in Italy. From this a strong brotherhood was generated that fought only for the Crown, because there were never patriotic Tercios who were mercenaries of other nations. They fought to serve God and the King, and not as workers for money. Although it may seem strange to many now, at the time values such as honor and glory were very important. That warrior animosity was what made the difference and was fiercely maintained for centuries.
–Was it something known at the time?
This idea was reflected in the opinions of foreign historians of some repute. The British Charles Oman, for example, was already talking about the organization and effectiveness of the Tercio. He claimed that they were the admiration of all his contemporaries. Spain has applied the innovative Swiss model. He based it, adapted it, improved it and surpassed it. The result was the amazement of all of Europe.
– He states in his book that the Spanish Tercios were composed only of peninsular soldiers
Evidently there were Tercios of other nationalities. Except for the Germans, who were another notable force on the Hispanic side and fought as regiments with their own leaders and were mercenaries. The key is that the Spanish Tercios were composed only of Spaniards, just as the Italian Tercios were composed only of Italians.
The Spanish Tercios were made up of levies recruited in the Iberian Peninsula, with local leaders. Furthermore, these units could not be commanded by non-Spanish officers, quite the opposite. Our people had the power to lead the so-called Tercios of the nations, which were those of any other nationality. Another thing is that when they entered battle they fought together, albeit in different units.
–More than two decades have passed since you began your investigation into the Tercios. Have you changed any of your initial theses in this period?
The substance is the same, but as you read and delve deeper, you analyze other aspects that you hadn’t initially considered. An example is Rocroi. Beyond the fact that the French exaggerated the defeat and turned it into a kind of fairy tale to put on airs, the reality is that the Tercios were sold that day. The deployment was terrible, they weren’t even trained for battle, they didn’t adapt the initial provisions… Even in Castelnuovo they were abandoned, and without any sign of receiving reinforcements. Maybe what I do now is emphasize that spirit of belonging.
Fernando Martínez Laínez
ABC
–Do you think, in this sense, that the Tercios soldiers enlisted for a salary, or that they were looking for something more?
At that time, those who enlisted did not have a discharge date. You were a fighter until the king decided you would leave. You could spend forty years fighting and never be able to return home. I don’t deny that there were people who signed up to find work, but I think that spirit of belonging prevailed.
–There is also some controversy, which you analyze, about what year the Tercio embarked were born.
Yes, there were a lot of discrepancies, but they are minor issues. I have broken down the different theories throughout the book, but we should not focus on the facts that generate controversy. What is clear is that Spain fielded a new army, paid and organized by the Crown, and not by feudal lords and mercenaries. And that the withdrawals made in Spain were organized by the monarch and his ministers. This represented a very important advance for the military history of the time.
– Tell us about a battle that society doesn’t know enough about
The Battle of Kinsale, Ireland. It is very little known. British literature erased him from history. I tried, when I was in the area, to look for documentation about it, and I couldn’t find much. Only some minor jobs. It’s a shame because it was a very important race. It was planned to attack England on that flank, after an infantry landing, with the support of Earls O’Neill and O’Donnell. The idea was to support a local rebellion and suffocate the enemy in a sort of pincer attack, but it didn’t work. After an initial defeat, the Spanish were isolated at Kinsale. The forces held out to the end, almost like at Castelnuovo, despite disease, skirmishes and British artillery. Eventually they retreated.
–How was that defeat seen on the peninsula?
When the man who commanded that force, Juan del Águila, returned to Spain, he was judged to have retreated. And this, despite having done it in inhumane conditions. He was court-martialed. It is true that he was saved and was not imprisoned, but he was very scarred and died shortly after.
–After a lifetime of study, what myth are you tired of?
It is a myth to think that the Tercio soldiers were of petty and vile origins. It wasn’t like that. At that time, the profession of arms was highly appreciated in Spain and, in this sense, many of the fighters had a good cultural level and were also noble. They were above average in this regard. There is also the idea that they were motivated only by money. Soldiers were necessary, but under no circumstances were they considered day laborers; In the vast majority of cases they were attracted by the desire for adventure and the spirit of what Spain represented in the world. They sought to see other lands, to have a certain honor and prestige that might then be valuable to them upon their return. We must put an end to the idea that they were mere mercenaries, but also to the fallacy that they were not disciplined. Even when they mutinied they chose a leader and were governed by very strict rules that were rarely broken.
–It is also often said that they were very scandalous…
They always fought in silence so that orders could reach them better. This greatly surprised the enemy.
–In his book he includes the quote from Nietzsche: ‘Spain is a people that has loved too much’…
Yes, but not in a bad way. Although it may seem cliché, Spanish military history in the 16th and early 17th centuries was characterized by the idea of ”us against all.” There was a time when we fought simultaneously against the Turks, Lutherans, French, English… And this, without counting the exploration of the New World, which was not easy, since we had to face pirates and corsairs. True, Spain wanted too much, but they tried.
#werent #composed #Spaniards
Were from respectable backgrounds. They often came from noble families or had solid social standing, as military service was seen as a means to gain honor and status. This is an important aspect that frequently gets overlooked in popular narratives about the Tercios.
–How do you perceive the legacy of the Tercios today?
The legacy of the Tercios is crucial to understanding Spanish military history and identity. Their structure and tactics influenced many European armies and contributed to the evolution of military organization worldwide. Moreover, the cultural legacy of the Tercios transcends the battlefield; they represent an ideal of loyalty, courage, and honor that resonates even today in discussions about honor in warfare. It’s essential that we remember and study them not just for their military achievements, but for the values and spirit they embodied.
–What do you hope readers take away from your book?
I hope readers gain a deeper appreciation of the complexities and nuances of the Tercios, understanding that they were not merely mercenaries or soldiers but representatives of a broader cultural and historical context. I want them to see the Tercios as a manifestation of a unique Spanish spirit that contributed to the shaping of Europe during their time. By studying their battles and lives, we can learn valuable lessons about cooperation, resilience, and the pursuit of honor in challenging circumstances.