biography
pronunciation:
[fahkhhel]
| biography:
| A family of regents in Holland, descended from François Fagel, magistrate of Bruges, who was exiled after the Spanish took the city in 1524 and settled in Amsterdam. Some of its members were: Gaspar (1634–88), appointed Grand Pensionary of Haarlem on De Witt's recommendation, and Recorder to the States-General from 1670. In 1672 he switched from States-General to the Prince of Orange's side. He supported his invasion of England and refused to sign, as the Recorder, the States-General's decision in favour of peace with France. He was appointed Grand Pensionary on the day De Witt was murdered. François Nicolaas (1655–1718), was the son of Nicolaas, burgomaster of Nijmegen. He fought in the war of 1672, in the Nine Years' War (War of the League of Augsburg 1688–98) and the War of the Spanish Succession (1702–13). He was made baron in 1703. As field marshal he commanded the Dutch and English troops in Portugal 1704–05, and was Governor of Sluis after the Treaty of Utrecht (1713). François (1659–1746) was joint Recorder to the States-General with his father (1685–90), and after his death continued in that office until 1744. Highly thought of, he strongly supported the Grand Pensionaries, Heinsius, Van Hoornbeek, Van Slingelandt, and Van der Heim. He believed in the ‘old system’ - co-operation of the sea powers (England and the United Netherlands) with Austria. Hendrik (1765–1838), was appointed Recorder to the States-General in 1790. In 1794 as special envoy to England he stayed there when France invaded, acquired British nationality in 1804, and did not return until 1813. He was appointed ambassador to Britain by King William I, and was later minister of state. |
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