Gaspar de Robles

Gaspar de Robles (1527, Madrid, Spain – 1585, Antwerp) was Stadholder of Friesland and Groningen at the beginning of the Eighty Years' War (reign: 1568 to 1576).

They are considered to be the founders of the Flemish branch of the house and became owner of the castle and lands in Billy in the County of Artois south of Lille.

Six days later he was defeated by Louis of Nassau in the Battle of Heiligerlee, together with the Spanish army of Jean de Ligne, Duke of Aremberg, who was killed.

De Robles then took part in the victorious battle of Jemmingen against the Dutch rebels led by Louis of Nassau, who only just managed to escape.

This memorial column on the Westerburcht Zeedijk south of Harlingen for many years marked the boundary between the two water boards and can still be visited today.

De Robles was also responsible for the construction of the Kolonelsdiep (Colonels-deep, named after him), between Bergumermeer and Briltil (west of Zuidhorn).