Captain-general of the Republic of Venice

Captain general (and its literal equivalent in several languages) is a high military rank of general officer grade, and a gubernatorial title.

The term "Captain General" started to appear in the 14th century, with the meaning of Commander in Chief of an army (or fleet) in the field, probably the first usage of the term General in military settings. A popular term in the 16th and 17th centuries, but with various meanings depending on the country, it became less and less used in the 18th century, usually substituted with, simply, General or Field Marshal; and after the end of the Napoleonic Wars it had all but disappeared in most European countries, except Spain and former colonies. See also Feldhauptmann ("field captain"). Other ranks of general officer, as distinct from field officer, had the suffix "general"; e.g. major general, lieutenant general, brigadier general, colonel general.

In the Republic of Venice, it meant the commander in chief in war time. The captain general of the land forces was usually a foreign mercenary or condottiere, but the Venetian navy was always entrusted to a member of the city's patriciate, who became Captain general of the Sea. It is at least documented since 1370 and was used up to the fall of the Republic of Venice in 1797.

From 30 June to 22 October 1513, Catherine of Aragon held the titles Governor of the Realm and Captain General of the King's Forces as Queen Regent of England. It was first attested in the 1520s as the title for the permanent Commander in Chief of the Armies. The title was commonly used in the 17th century. In the 18th century, the office was held by the Duke of Marlborough (1702 to 1711, and again 1714 to 1717), and by the Duke of Ormonde, 1711 to 1714, and by the Duke of Cumberland 1745.

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