[1] Regarding the Royal Military and Mathematics Academy of Brussels, Serafín María de Sotto, 3rd Count of Clonard wrote: "The Spanish can rightly claim the glory of having advanced in the science of war more than the rest of cultured Europe.

"[6] The Royal Military and Mathematics Academy of Brussels gained fame for its officer cadets' diverse backgrounds, its pioneering curriculum, and its comprehensive approach to theoretical and practical learning.

[13] According to Don Sebastian Fernández de Medrano, the Royal Military and Mathematics Academy of Brussels aimed to combine theoretical and practical education in order to advance the art of modern war.

Moreover, to facilitate the understanding of this doctrine for the dedicated, it was decided to publish various books on all aspects of the Mathematical Disciplines relevant to this profession, such as Geography or World Description, Geometry, Fortification, Squadron Formation, Artifices of Fire, and the usage and practice of Artillery and Mortars, all of which were lacking in our language.

Having achieved all of this with recognized success and efficacy, I resolved to cease writing further, as the aforementioned works were sufficient and the multitude of plates required for these subjects caused considerable expense [more than eight thousand escudos].

"[11] The Royal Military and Mathematics Academy of Brussels was widely acknowledged for its excellence, as evidenced by the requests from Princes of the League, Dukes, and other prominent figures.

[16] Don Francisco Antonio de Agurto Salcedo Medrano, Marquess of Gastañaga, Captain General and Governor of the Habsburg Netherlands, became one of the schools greatest protectors.

[5] Another notable student, Alejandro de Retz, born in Paris, France around the 17th century and died in Cartagena, Murcia in 1732, served as a military engineer for the French monarchy from 1681 to 1703.

[17] Sebastian wrote his textbook "Geometric and Military Rudiments" in 1677 in order to "introduce into the military the teaching of that part of mathematics that belongs to a soldier," and "seeing my intention achieved so successfully that in addition to the 700 officers who have graduated from this Academy, many have gained some understanding of my works (as is well known)..."[18] The Academy's enrollment was annually refreshed with the induction of thirty students, including officers and cadets from infantry units.

Those who excelled were selected for a second year to enhance their skills in Drawing and Fortification, and to engage in additional studies like speculative Geometry and "Treatise on the Sphere and Navigation".

All of them consisted of a gold medal with the effigy of Charles II of Spain, surrounded by the inscription: "Carolus Dei gratia Hispaniarum Rex (Charles, by the Grace of God, King of Spain)" on the obverse, and on the reverse, that of "Palladis et Martis studio haec proemia miles Medraenea tibi docta palaestra dicat, (This opening verse, taught by the training ground of Medrano, is dedicated to you, Palladian and Martian soldier)" over a plan representing a fortified pentagon supported by Mars and Pallas.

The educational structure of the Academy in Brussels, which served as a model, featured a two-year curriculum: the first year focused on basic principles, and the second on specialized training for engineers and artillerymen.

This occurred on 22 January 1700, the same day His Majesty issued a decree to establish the Military Academy in Barcelona and instructed that notices be posted in the War Secretariat to recruit teachers.

This extended three-year curriculum aimed to provide thorough training in pure and applied mathematics, as well as general cultural education and practical skills pertinent to military engineering.