Gjergj Cressiac

George Cressiac (Albanian: Gjergj Cresia), (Spanish: Georgio Cressier), (Italian: Cressiaco Albano)[1] (fl. 1580s) was an Albanian[2][3] Epirote chief[4] and commander in service of the Duke of Parma of Spain during the Anglo-Spanish War.[5] In September 1586, Peregrine Bertie, the 13th Baron Willoughby de Eresby, under Queen Elizabeth, commanding an English army, captured Cressiac after a duel.[6] Cressiac then said in French: "I yield myself to you".

George Cressiac
1845 depiction of Cressiac unhorsed
Nickname(s)Crescia
AllegianceDuke of Parma
Service/branchImperial Army
Years of service1580s
RankGeneral
Battles/warsAnglo-Spanish War (1585–1604)

Background

In 1585, Queen Elizabeth sent forces led by Lord Willoughby to aid the Protestant Netherlanders against their Spanish masters. On the 22nd of September 1586, Lord Willoughby distinguished himself in the Battle of Zutphen. A convoy, commanded by George Cressiac under the orders of the Duke of Parma, was passing by. Fighting began and Lord Willoughby, alongside Lord Audley, Sir John Norreis, and Sir Philip Sidney, attacked. The Spaniards had the higher ground and charged upon the English who helped their position. Lord Willoughby engaged George Cressiac, and defeated him. He fell into a ditch and said: "I yield myself to you, for that you be a seemly knight".[7]

References
  1. Bertie, Peregrine (1838). A Memoir of Peregrine Bertie: Eleventh Lord Willoughby de Eresby, Commander-in-chief of Queen Elizabeth's Forces in the Low Countries, and in France; and Governor of Berwick. J. Murray. p. 54. georgio cressiaco.
  2. Birch, Thomas (1970). Memoirs of the reign of Queen Elizabeth: from the year 1581 till her death ... and the conduct of her favourite, Robert Earl of Essex, both at home and abroad ... Ams Press. p. 103.
  3. Spedding, James (1879). Reviews and Discussions: Literary, Political, and Historical, Not Relating to Bacon. C. K. Paul & Company. p. 405. George cressier.
  4. Motley, John Lothrop (1870). History of the United Netherlands: 1600-1609. Harper & brothers.
  5. Motley, John Lothrop (1874). History of the United Netherlands: From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Years'truce--1609. Harper & brothers. p. 51.
  6. Camden, William (1630). The Historie of the Life and Reigne of the Most Renowmed and Victorious Princesse Elizabeth, Late Queen of England. B. Fisher. p. 66.
  7. "September 22nd". www.thebookofdays.com.


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