James "Spanish" Blake

James Blake
Bornc. 1561
Galway, Ireland
Died20 February 1635
Galway, Ireland

James "Spanish" Blake (c. 1561 – 20 February 1635) was an Irish merchant, soldier and double agent. On various occasions, he seemingly worked as a spy for English, Irish and Spanish officials during the Nine Years' War.

According to a unsubstantiated myth, Blake allegedly poisoned Irish confederate commander Red Hugh O'Donnell in 1602. Historians now believe O'Donnell died from illness, possibly a tapeworm infection.


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