F26 The Original Bastard Don John of Austria

The historical Don John really did reside in Messina after leading the Christian fleet to victory over the Turks at Lepanto in 1571. He was bitter about his illegitimacy (he was the half-brother of King Philip II of Spain). He thought up the idea of the Armada against England to rescue Mary Queen of Scots, marry her by force and make himself King of England. The English hated and feared him. His statue still stands in Messina, near the Cathedral, as seen here. The previous image of our Don John matches the statue's gesture.