Gaspar de Guzman Quotes


We were trying to achieve miracles and reduce the world to what it cannot be.


Citations

Gaspar de Guzman, 1587-1645, Count-Duke of Olivares, Chief Minister for Philip IV, Quoted in Williams, The Story of Spain

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Gaspar de Guzman
Gaspar de Guzman
  • Born: January 6, 1587
  • Died: July 22, 1645
  • Nationality:
  • Profession:

Gaspar de Guzmán y Pimentel, 1st Duke of Sanlúcar, 3rd Count of Olivares, GE, known as the Count-Duke of Olivares (taken by joining both his his countship and subsequent dukedom), was a Spanish royal favourite of Philip IV and minister. As prime minister from 1621 to 1643, he over-exerted Spain in foreign affairs and unsuccessfully attempted domestic reform. His policy of committing Spain to recapture Holland led to a renewal of the Eighty Years' War while Spain was also embroiled in the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648). In addition, his attempts to centralise power and increase wartime taxation led to revolts in Catalonia and in Portugal, which brought about his downfall.