Sir Francis Vere | |
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![]() Portrait of Sir Francis Vere | |
Born | c. 1560 |
Died | 28 August 1609 (aged 48-49) |
Buried | Westminster Abbey |
Noble family | De Vere |
Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Dent |
Father | Geoffrey Vere |
Mother | Elizabeth Hardekyn |
Sir Francis Vere (1560/61 – 28 August 1609) was a prominent English soldier serving under Queen Elizabeth I fighting mainly in the Low Countries during the Anglo-Spanish War (1585–1604) and the Eighty Years' War.
He was a sergeant major-general of English and Scottish troops in 1589, a position he retained during fifteen campaigns fighting the Spanish, with almost unbroken success - most notably at the Battle of Nieuwpoort. He enjoyed excellent relations with the Dutch under Maurice of Nassau, working in close co-operation with them to help secure the country for the cause of independence.